Hamas has declared a four-day humanitarian ceasefire with Israel. The announcement follows mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt.
The ceasefire encompasses a cessation of all military actions by the Israeli occupation forces across the entire Gaza Strip. A freeze on the movement of military vehicles is also mandated.
A major component of the agreement involves the unimpeded passage of aid trucks carrying humanitarian relief, medical, and fuel supplies into all areas of the Gaza Strip. This provision aims to address the needs of the civilian population.
As part of the accord, 50 civilian women and children in Gaza are set to be released, reciprocated by the release of 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.
To further ensure the stability of the ceasefire, air traffic will come to a complete standstill in southern Gaza, with six-hour periodic halts in the north during the four-day period. Israel has pledged not to target or arrest anyone in any part of the Gaza Strip during this timeframe. The free movement of people along Salahuddin Street, from north to south, is guaranteed.
Despite attempts by the Israeli occupation forces to delay the process, the resistance held a strong and steadfast position.
In response to the ceasefire announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that the agreement marks only a temporary pause in hostilities. He highlighted that it does not signal a complete cessation of military operations. Netanyahu maintained that the Israeli military will resume its operations after the designated four-day ceasefire period.
Since 7 October, Israel, backed by the United States and Western governments, has killed over 14,100 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Israeli says the death toll from Hamas’s attacks stands around 1,200.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has launched strikes on outposts in Damascus, according to the Syrian army. The Syrian army reports that the rockets were fired from the Golan Heights. The Israeli military has not commented on this report.