The expectation after six weeks of devastating Israeli bombardment that the first of 50 Gaza hostages will be freed shortly as a four-day ceasefire comes into force is a crucial window of opportunity. The welcome release agreement between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt, offers the first glimmer of hope of a negotiated pathway to a broader agreement – and not just on the remaining hostages.
Israel’s unilateral offer to extend the ceasefire by additional days for every 10 further hostages released is an important signal that the limited dialogue can be extended. It is vital that this process should continue and also include talks on the medium-term governance of Gaza in the context of a state for the Palestinian people. Israel has made clear, however, that its offensive will resume as soon as the releases dry up.
The agreement was sealed by Israel’s cabinet late on Tuesday night, despite opposition from far-right parties. It will see 50 women and children hostages freed by Hamas in return for the release of some 150 Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails. The four-day ceasefire will also allow desperately needed supplies of food, medicines, water and fuel to flow into Gaza.
Around 240 hostages are believed to be held in Gaza following their abduction by Hamas on October 7th. They include about 33 children and nationals from 40 countries, among them 20 Thai farm workers. There are civilians, soldiers, people with disabilities, children, grandparents and even a nine-month-old baby.
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Some are peace activists, part of collectives near the Gaza border. One, Emily Hand, is a 9-year old with joint Irish-Israeli citizenship. Hamas has claimed in unverified statements that Israeli air strikes have killed several of the hostages and in late October Israeli forces rescued one, while four were released by Hamas about a week earlier.
There has been mounting pressure on the Israeli government from the families of those held in favour of negotiated swaps for some of the 6,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. They have also opposed attempts currently underway in the Knesset to legislate new death penalty provisions for Palestinian prisoners convicted of killing Israelis.
In recent days the families’ emphasis has turned to appeals to Hamas for some contact with their relatives and “proof of life”, evidence at least that they are alive, being fed or given medicine.
In parallel to the release talks, the International Committee of the Red Cross has also been engaged in talks with Hamas to gain some access, in line with its traditional role of visiting prisoners of war. Some reports suggest this access to the hostages will now be facilitated. This must form part of a longer-term process for their release and an end to fighting to follow this four-day pause.