The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, as the planned cease-fire is postponed. Families of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are left to hold onto hope.
Jerusalem – The Israeli military continued its attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday, following a four-day pause in fighting that was supposed to allow for the release of Israeli hostages by the militant group Hamas in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Postponed until at least Friday.
There are currently 10 American citizens who are still missing following the violent terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7. It is believed that some of these individuals may be held as hostages, including a 3-year-old child.Abigail Mor Edan.
Abigail’s family, who are Israeli-American, are eagerly anticipating Thanksgiving in the hopes that their loved ones will be released soon. The government of Qatar, who played a role in negotiating the release of hostages, announced that the ceasefire will commence on Friday at 7 a.m. local time (midnight EST). The initial group of 13 hostages, all consisting of women and children, will be freed at 4 p.m. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed to CBS News that they have been given an initial list of names.
Under the
A deal was made in Qatar during the current week.
At least 50 hostages, including numerous children, will be freed in exchange for a minimum of 150 Palestinian prisoners and a temporary four-day cease-fire. A large number of trucks transporting essential supplies such as cooking oil and fuel will also enter the Gaza Strip.
The family of a 3-year-old American hostage responds to the release deal between Israel and Hamas at 06:13.
Some of the families of the hostages in Israel may soon have their six-week wait come to an end, easing their anxiety.
Hadas Calderon informed CBS News that her life was shattered and her family torn apart when Hamas militants invaded their small agricultural community, Kibbutz Nir Oz, on October 7th and kidnapped her children Sahar, 16, and Erez, 12.
When asked about her children’s experiences since that day, Calderon expressed, “It’s been a living nightmare! They’re going through hell… I just want them to return so I can help them recover.”
While other American households were getting ready for their Thanksgiving feast, a dining table was arranged in central Tel Aviv with a spot for each of the 236 hostages that Israel claims are currently being held captive in Gaza.
Palestinians are calling for an immediate halt to the conflict in Gaza and the release of all imprisoned individuals.
However, despite a temporary halt in hostilities lasting four days, Israel’s military continues to conduct frequent airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, claiming to target the territory’s ruling Hamas party and other extremist factions. According to reports, the number of casualties has exceeded 13,000, leading residents in the besieged area to express that the pause in fighting is inadequate.
According to a girl participating in a protest in Ramallah, the largest city in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, thousands of people have been lost. She also expressed concern that if the war persists, there will be no survivors.
Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty
The protesters are calling for a complete cessation of the war and for Israel to release all Palestinian detainees. According to organizations advocating for the rights of Palestinian prisoners, there are currently over 200 children and approximately 75 women being held in Israeli prisons.
In recent weeks, numerous individuals have been detained, resulting in a total of over 7,000 Palestinians currently imprisoned in Israeli jails, as reported by advocates for prisoner rights.
In the end, my goal is to achieve freedom and liberation,” stated Joharah Baker, a Palestinian journalist and activist living in Jerusalem, in an interview with CBS News. “It is the right of Palestinians to have freedom.”
Norhan Aouwad, the daughter of Samaher Aouwad, may potentially be released from prison in Israel this week. At the age of 15, she was arrested for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. Despite consistently denying the accusation, she has served nine years in prison for the incident.
Aouwad expressed to CBS News that the Israeli occupation has robbed her of her childhood, which is a source of sadness for her. She believes that no one can make up for the loss of her childhood.
For many years, Israel has utilized the release of Palestinian prisoners as a bargaining tool in its talks with different Palestinian leaders.
In 2011, Hamas made an agreement to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been kidnapped, in return for the freedom of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
According to Gershon Baskin, a negotiator from Israel who played a role in reaching the agreement, Hamas’ willingness to release women, children, and elderly hostages suggests they are only receiving three prisoners in return for each hostage.
Heidi Levine/The Washington Post/Getty
According to him, the Palestinian militant group found them to be a hindrance. “After obtaining the soldiers, their true desire is to demand the release of all Palestinian prisoners in Israel.”
Hamas has not yet stated this requirement, and the exact number of civilians and soldiers held hostage by Israel has not been disclosed. However, the extremist organization currently holds a significant amount of power and influence.
Currently, with under 24 hours remaining until the anticipated ceasefire, Israel is continuing to carry out its declared objective: To “eliminate Hamas.”
On Thursday, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a military spokesperson, was asked if Israeli forces were attempting to keep the plan for a brief ceasefire from becoming more complex by decreasing their airstrikes on heavily populated areas in Gaza. He responded to reporters that it was “business as usual” and that they may even increase operations during the temporary pause.
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Source: cbsnews.com