Israel and Hamas have agreed on a tentative timing for the truce in the Gaza war on Wednesday, November 22. However, conflicting reports have risen from multiple sources and stakeholders within the deal, casting doubt on any information that is being relayed.
Amid news of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, there are conflicting reports regarding the timing of a truce between the two parties. Different sources have presented varying information on when the ceasefire might take effect.
The head of the Israeli National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that no Israeli hostages would be released before Friday.
Another statement made by the Israeli army spokesperson, “a deal for the release of the abducted has been concluded” adding that they do not know “when the ceasefire will come into effect.”
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also stated that “Qatar is the one that will announce the start of the humanitarian ceasefire.” Sullivan said that there is no specified timing for the agreement to take effect, but that the US anticipates a cessation of hostilities within 24 hours.
The ceasefire and the hostage-prisoner exchange process was reported to begin at 10:00 AM (8:00 GMT), according to regional media reports.
The hostages who are to be freed are women and children, and the Palestinian prisoners are women and detainees aged 18 and younger.
Israel would release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and allow more humanitarian aid into the coastal territory after more than six weeks of bombardment, heavy fighting, and a crippling siege.
The deal — negotiated with Qatar, the United States, and Egypt — is the first major breakthrough in Gaza’s bloodiest ever war, which has killed thousands and left much of the territory in ruins.
Although it promises a truce that could be extended if more captives are freed, Israel has vowed to stick to its war aim of destroying Hamas and rescuing all 240 hostages held in the war zone.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose cabinet approved the truce after a marathon overnight session, told his ministers it was a “difficult decision, but it’s a right decision.”
The cabinet’s sign-off was one of the last hurdles after what one US official described as five “extremely excruciating” weeks of talks.
Hamas welcomed the “humanitarian truce” and an official of the Islamist group told the media that “the resistance is committed to the truce as long as the occupation honors it.”
If the initial phase works, a subsequent phase could see 150 more Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for 50 more hostages, according to an Israeli government document naming 300 eligible prisoners.
For every 10 additional hostages released, there would be an extra day’s “pause” in fighting, the document said.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad group sources earlier told the media that the truce would apply to ground operations as well as air operations over southern Gaza.
The negotiations have involved the US Central Intelligence Agency, Israel’s Mossad, Egyptian intelligence, and leaders in Doha, Cairo, Washington, Gaza, and Israel.
Israel’s list of eligible Palestinian prisoners included 123 detainees under 18 and 33 women.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that “immediately after we have exhausted this phase,” military operations would “continue in full force.”
A US official said there was hope the deal would lead to a “full pause” in deadly exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah movement along Israel’s northern border.
According to a French Presidential source, it is uncertain whether the potential ceasefire in Gaza would include the Israeli-Lebanese border clashes.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
