Truce begins in Gaza: thousands of displaced people return home amid rubble, first three Israelis freed
Tensions remain high until the very end, then finally "quiet has fallen on the Strip". Aid trucks begin to pass through the Rafah crossing againOn the first day of the agreed truce in Gaza, tensions remained high until the very end, inside and outside Israel, and the fragile agreement that has given hope to a tormented people seemed more in the balance than ever. The agreement's entry into force, initially scheduled for today at 8:30 local time (7:30 in Italy), was delayed by three hours because Hamas was late in submitting the list of hostages to be released during the day.
"We will not proceed with the plan until we receive the list of hostages who will be released, as agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thundered, while the IDF confirmed that it continued "to conduct attacks in the Gaza Strip" with deaths and injuries.
The Hamas organization itself acknowledged a delay "in providing the names of the hostages to be released, for technical reasons on the ground." However, the list was finally provided and the truce was called. "Quiet has fallen on Gaza, the bombings have stopped," residents of the Strip report. Thousands of displaced people are returning to their homes amid the rubble while the first trucks with aid for the Palestinian population have entered from the Rafah crossing that had been closed since May.
The Hostages
The long-awaited release of the hostages has begun, as confirmed by Israeli officials. The Red Cross has taken over the first three from Hamas, the young Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher.
The agreement
The agreement, reached by mediators on Wednesday, just days before the inauguration of the new US President Donald Trump, has raised hopes for a lasting peace despite yet another warning from Netanyahu. The prime minister clarified that it is "a temporary ceasefire" and that his country retains "the right to resume the war if necessary and with the support of the United States."
Under the terms of the agreement, hostilities must cease and 33 Israeli hostages must be released, in an initial phase spread over six weeks. In exchange, Israel will release 737 Palestinian prisoners, according to the Israeli Justice Ministry, while Egypt reports that "more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners" will be released during this first phase.
(Online Union)
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