While the international community waited with trepidation, the expected truce between Israel And Hamas today encountered an unexpected delay from its scheduled start time of 8.30am local time. An obstacle attributed to “technical delays”, as they called them, by the terrorist group operating in the area Gaza Strip and which postponed the expected suspension of hostilities.
The veil of tension that covered the scene was only lifted when, after moments of uncertain waiting, news emerged that changed the course of events. Around 9.30 am Italian timeIsraeli media reported that the Tel Aviv government finally had the list of hostages who would be freed, indicating progress in the negotiations. Confirmed by the Israeli authorities, the truce took effect at 11.15 local time, sparking a glimmer of hope after months of prolonged friction.
Then the joy, the real one. The names of three women appeared on the list handed over by Hamas, Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari And Romi Gonen. Then at 3pm the announcement: the Red Cross took the hostages handed over by the terrorists, found “in good condition”, and brought them back to Israel. Transferred to specially mobilized FHN helicopters, they were taken to a camp set up in Reem where they met their mothers. They were then visited in the facility before being taken to a civil hospital where they met the rest of the families. “I want to thank all those who have never stopped fighting for Emily – commented the young girl’s mother -, and those who have never stopped screaming her name. In Israel, Great Britain, the United States and everywhere in the world. Thanks for bringing Emily home.” Then the appeal for all the other hostages: “While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over – he added -, for many other families the heartbreaking wait continues. Every hostage must be releasedand humanitarian care and aid must be provided to those still waiting to return home. We ask the media to respect the privacy of Emily and her family at this time.”
In parallel to the hostage issue, the day was also marked by the entry of 100 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid in Gaza. This opening, essential to alleviate the conditions of thousands of displaced people who were preparing to return to their homes, was among the details of the agreement signed a few days ago in a region marked by 15 months of conflict.
The truce agreement it also includes a commitment to release 90 Palestinian prisoners, including 69 women and 21 children, held in Israeli prisons. These are citizens who come from East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
A further parallel action saw Israeli forces involved in recovering the soldier’s body Oron Shauldetained in Gaza since 2014. He was killed in a Hamas ambush in the war that broke out more than ten years ago.
“We and the resistance factions declare our full commitment to the ceasefire agreement, underlining that all this is conditional on the commitment of the enemy,” said Abu Obeida, spokesman for the armed wing Ezzedine al-Qassam.
Internal tensions in Israel, however, highlight a fragmented political reality. The proposals of some government officials, including Bezalel Smotrich, to occupy Gaza and establish a temporary military government there have sparked controversy, highlighting the divergence of opinions on the management of the conflict with Hamas. The resignation of Itmar Ben Gvir and two other ministers, in a sign of disapproval of the truce agreement, reflects the depth of divisions within Netanyahu’s government. But today only the return home of three hostages matters.
“The government of Israel warmly welcomes the three freed women,” the prime minister said in a statement. “Their families have been informed by the competent authorities that they have been released and have returned to our forces. The government of Israel is committed to bringing home all hostages and missing persons.”