Featured Image Credit: ANAS BABA / Contributor/EA
Topics: Israel, World News, US News, Joe Biden
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: Israel, World News, US News, Joe Biden
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day 'humanitarian truce'.
The ceasefire is expected to start tomorrow morning (Thursday 23 November) from 10:00am local time.
The deal has been confirmed by both sides who have agreed to pause air attacks and allow for humanitarian deliveries and relief aid to pass through.
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Hamas and Israel will also release hostages, with the focus reported as being 'structured for women and children' but with 'an expectation for further releases,' a senior US official said, as per The Guardian.
The move has been applauded by political figures, such as US President Joe Biden.
Biden said: "I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th.
"I'm gratified that these brave souls, who have endured an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented."
The president goes on to thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their 'critical partnership in reaching this deal'.
"And I appreciate Prime Minister Netanyahu's commitment in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out," he adds.
The president notes it's not just Palestinian hostages who are expected to be released by militant group Hamas, but US citizens too.
Biden resolved: "As President, I have no higher priority than ensuring the safety of Americans held hostage around the world. And I will not stop until they are all released."
However, President Biden has faced backlash for his statement, X users calling out the 'one-sided' nature of his post.
"These brave souls could have been home a month ago and the innocent souls of 4,000 children could still be on this earth if you had pushed Israel to accept the deal when it was first offered," one user said.
Another added: "Why do you only care about one side? What about the thousands of Palestinian who lost their lives in this War? Who is responsible for that?"
After the four-day ceasefire, the war will continue, Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu resolving: "We are at war, and we will continue the war. We will continue until we achieve all our goals."
Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch Omar Shakir said in a statement: "Taking hostages is a war crime and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups need to release all of them, immediately. But blocking the delivery of life-saving aid and fuel until the release of hostages is a war crime that has put the lives of 2.2 million people at risk.
"Human beings are not bargaining chips. Ceasefire or not, unlawful attacks should cease."
To donate to Save the Children, which helps children survive wherever disaster strikes, you can visit its website.