In a recent development, a representative of the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas, Abu Ubaida, has stated that the group is prepared to release up to 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day ceasefire. The enemy has demanded the release of 100 women and children held captive in Gaza, to which Hamas has responded through mediators that they can release 50 women and children within the ceasefire period, with the number potentially reaching 70. Ubaida highlighted the difficulty of locating hostages who are dispersed among different units and services.
Over the past week, Hamas has been engaging in negotiations through Qatari mediators for the release of Israeli hostages, specifically women and children held by the movement. In return, the group has demanded the release of 200 Palestinian children and 75 women held in Israeli prisons. The achieved ceasefire is expected to include a cessation of hostilities and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7th, announcing the start of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country to be in a state of war.
Israel’s retaliatory operation, named “Iron Swords,” aims to repel the attack, free over 200 hostages, including foreigners, and destroy Hamas. From the first day of the operation, Israel has launched massive rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip. Additionally, the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the sector. Humanitarian aid has only been allowed through the Rafah Crossing since October 20th, but its volume is considered insufficient.
On October 27th, Israel announced the “expansion” of its ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of this operation remains unknown, but hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have already evacuated their homes and sought shelter in bunkers and the southern part of the enclave. As of November 5th, fighting continues in the center of Gaza as Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have surrounded the city, cutting off its supply lines.
Hamas previously accused the West of building an “impenetrable wall” between themselves and the Arab world.
