After 48 days of war, with 1,200 dead on the Israeli side and 15,000 on the Palestinian side, the release of 24 hostages (11 more than expected) and 39 prisoners was an encouragement for both peoples, marked by the terrorist attacks of Hamas and the brutal terrorist acts of Tel Aviv. answer. There were fireworks in Palestine and celebrations in the streets of Israel. On the diplomatic front, there are hopes that the four-day ceasefire could be extended, after the President of the United States declared that the “possibilities are real”.
Speaking to reporters, Joe Biden was optimistic about the possibility of the guns remaining silent while reaffirming his support for Israel. ‘I encouraged the Prime Minister [Netanyahu] to focus on reducing the number of victims while eliminating Hamas, which is a legitimate objective. It is a difficult task and I don’t know how long it will take,” he said. “I don’t trust Hamas to do anything good. I only trust that Hamas will respond to pressure.”
Women and children first. The old maxim was applied in the first human transfer, although the number of child hostages released was only three. Among the women, one of them has dual Portuguese-Israeli nationality: Adina Moshe, 72 years old, a descendant of Sephardic Jews, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 after terrorists killed her husband. Also note the release of Hanna Katzir, 77 years old, whose death in captivity the Islamic Jihad group announced a few days ago.
In addition to what was agreed, Hamas released ten Thai citizens and one Filipino in an operation that took place separately. In recent weeks, the Thai government and Muslim religious leaders in the Middle East have campaigned for the release of their 26 hostages (the second largest group of hostages after the Israelis). Thailand is the country that provides the most agricultural labor in Israel: before October 7, there were 30,000, and that day 40 were killed by Hamas.
Of the freed hostages, 22 were taken to Hatzerim Air Base for a health check before being distributed to different hospitals, while two women were sent directly to the hospital. Contrary to expectations, the abductees were released via Egypt. According to Israeli state broadcaster KAN, it will be a way to emphasize Cairo’s role in the mediation efforts and thus counterbalance the role of Doha, where Hamas has its headquarters outside the occupied territories.
On the Palestinian side, it is a fact that festivities and fireworks took place despite Israeli authorities instructing the prisoners and their families not to celebrate – the army even used tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowds. “I’m a bit nervous and surprised. I can’t believe I’m here,” Marah Bakeer told Al Jazeera. She was arrested in 2015, when she was 16 years old, and complained about poor conditions in Ofer prison.
The ceasefire allowed the entry of 137 trucks carrying humanitarian aid and others carrying fuel and gas, and, conversely, the removal of 21 seriously ill patients to Egypt. It also allowed the movement of 151 patients from al-Shifa Hospital to other health facilities in Gaza.
Sánchez infuriates Tel Aviv
The Spanish Prime Minister’s visit to the Middle East has left its mark on Tel Aviv and caused a diplomatic crisis. At the Gaza-Egypt border, Pedro Sánchez reiterated what he had said hours earlier, face-to-face, with his Israeli counterpart, albeit in different terms. “I reiterate Israel’s right to defend itself, but within the parameters and limitations imposed by international humanitarian law. This is not the case. The indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, including thousands of children, is completely unacceptable. Violence will only lead to more violence. We must replace violence with hope and peace,” he declared.
The head of the Belgian government, Alexander De Croo, visited together with Sánchez (Belgium will chair the EU Council from January 1, succeeding Spain). De Croo was not so direct in his reparations to Tel Aviv, but eventually also became involved in the diplomatic crisis when he saw his ambassador, like the Spaniard, summoned to receive a ‘severe reprimand’ from the Israeli minister of Foreign Affairs, Eli. Cohen.
“We condemn the false statements made by the Prime Ministers of Spain and Belgium, who support terrorism. Israel is acting in accordance with international law and fighting a murderous terrorist organization worse than Islamic State, which is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity. ” said Cohen. Netanyahu also “strongly condemns the comments of the Belgian and Spanish Prime Ministers, who have not placed full responsibility on Hamas for the crimes against humanity it has committed.”
On the Belgian side, De Croo only said that “the Israeli ambassador to Belgium will be invited to clarify the situation.” In Madrid, Tel Aviv’s extreme response was met with a commensurate response. “False, misplaced and unacceptable accusations” from Israel, said the Foreign Ministry, which is “analyzing the timely response” that should be given.
Still on the border between the enclave and Egypt, De Croo asked Israel to allow more humanitarian aid in “because innocent civilians are suffering and need help.” Pedro Sánchez advocated the recognition of Palestine, positioning himself as the European leader with a more critical attitude towards Netanyahu’s government – while still supporting Israel – and at the same time more pro-Palestinian. “The time has come for the international community, and especially the EU, to make a decision on the recognition of the Palestinian state. It would be worth it, it would be important for many EU members to do this together. But if this happens. If that doesn’t happen, Spain will of course make its own decisions,” he said.
Hours later, his words were echoed by Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, who classified the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians as an “idea without a future.” Together with Sánchez and De Croo, al-Sissi proposed as an alternative the recognition of the State of Palestine by the international community and its integration into the United Nations. In addition, the Egyptian said Palestine could be “demilitarized” after proposing security through NATO, the United Nations or Arab and North American forces. The Arab countries, through the head of Jordanian diplomacy, said they did not want to provide military aid in Gaza.
Source: DN
