Middle East, two more days of truce. What Israel receives

Two more days of truce in exchange for the release of 20 more hostages. This was agreed between Israel and Hamas at the end of what was supposed to be the last 24 hours of the cessation of fighting. A busy day when the release of the last round of prisoners was in danger of being cancelled. Israel accused Hamas of wanting to separate mothers from their children, thus violating the ceasefire agreement. Qatari mediation was once again necessary for everyone to agree. It was then Doha that announced the green light for the exchange between eleven Israeli hostages, 9 children and two mothers, and 33 Palestinian prisoners, three women and thirty minors. Outside of the bilateral agreement, Hamas also released six Thai citizens. Qatar then made the continuation of the truce official. All the highest international organizations expressed their opinion in favor of extending the humanitarian pause, starting with the UN. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the diplomatic efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the United States and hoped that the truce could “lead to a permanent ceasefire”.

US President Joe Biden “welcomed” the announcement and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the High Representative for European Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, also hoped for a continuation of the truce. The hostages that Hamas is expected to release in the coming days will still be women and children, but Palestinian militiamen have said they are willing to negotiate over the Israeli soldiers in their hands as well. “In any case, it will be a separate negotiation from that on the release of civilian hostages,” said Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the Palestinian militant group’s political bureau. One of the freed Israeli hostages revealed that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar visited them in the Gaza tunnels. Israel’s “public enemy number one” reportedly spoke to them in Hebrew, telling them they had nothing to fear. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant noted instead during a meeting with troops that after the break fighting will continue “across the entire Gaza Strip” with “even greater” force. Elon Musk also appeared in Israel. The X owner met with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Musk also visited Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was devastated during the Hamas attack on October 7. The tycoon said he agreed with Israel on the need to “destroy” Hamas and said he was willing to do his part for the revival of Gaza at the end of the war, including granting the use of Starlink satellites, subject to Tel. Avive’s approval.