Hamas and Israel have agreed to a four-day pause in fighting. This is desperately needed for Palestinians to have a reprieve in fighting so they can rest, but Israel vows to continue the fight in Gaza.
50 of the Hamas hostages will be returned to Israel.
150 of the Israeli prisoners will be returned to Gaza.
300 aid trucks are to enter Gaza each day.
This is wonderful momentum in the right direction, it just needs to be extended into a permanent ceasefire. Many people are hoping that this pause can turn into a permanent peace and further exchanges of hostages and prisoners between Hamas and Israel. There is no reason it shouldn’t if Israel truly wants their people back as they claim, then they should continue negotiations with Hamas and bring all of the hostages back to Israel.
While Israel pauses fighting with Hamas, Israel has not stopped targeting Lebanon and Syria. The US has also attacked several militants in Iraq. The fighting will continue in all three areas and to a much greater degree because Israel will be able to devote more resources to fight Lebanon and Syria.
Israel has stated that they have aims for Lebanon. The Energy Secretary from the US visited Israel to discuss the gas field offshore of Israel and Gaza. Lebanon secured a deal for the gas field off its shore in which Israel receives some rights but only a little profit from the shared border of these gas fields. The profits from these gas fields could pull Lebanon out of financial struggles. Israel has ramped up their operations on the border of Lebanon and have killed four people in Lebanon today.
The truce has not even been finalized yet and there appears to be opposition to the hostage exchange from the Israeli government. Both parties have agreed that the truce will begin tomorrow but the hostage exchange has been moved to Friday. Israel has stated that fighting will continue until the timeline is finalized. It is unsure whether the agreement will be signed by Israel or respected by Israel.
Netanyahu has said that the war will continue once the truce expires. There is no concern for the remaining hostages that Hamas still has in captivity. This also means that Israel will continue the war on Gaza even if Hamas returns the remaining hostages. It is assured that Israel won’t stop their siege with the reasoning that they are set to destroy Hamas.
If the humanitarian pause in Gaza actually does occur, Israel plans on finishing their destructive plans for Gaza. World leaders must press Israel to continue the pause into a permanent ceasefire. Now is the time to issue an embargo if Israel breaks the pause in fighting or refuses to engage in permanent peace.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. May this whole world be free.
Protest. Boycott. BE UNGOVERNABLE. Vote 3rd party. Volunteer. Organize. Contact elected officials. Share the stories from Palestine. Share the news from Palestine. Share the history of Palestine. Please extend the same energy to other places that face genocide and war crimes including- the Congo, Sudan, West Papua, Armenia, and the Uyghurs.