A four-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip between Israel and Hamas forces took effect on November 24.
Transporting injured people after Israeli bombardments to Rafah city, southern Gaza Strip, November 22, 2023. (Photo: THX/TTXVN)
With the ceasefire, Israel can rescue hostages and calm public opinion, while Hamas has more time to reorganize its forces.
The Israeli government announced a four-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of about 50 hostages from the Gaza Strip. Hamas also confirmed the “humanitarian ceasefire,” adding that 150 Palestinians would be released from Israeli prisons under the deal.
The move is seen as a major breakthrough that could help ease tensions after more than six weeks of fighting. It could also help Israel ease growing domestic and international pressure, according to Jeffrey Fleishman and Laura King, two analysts for the Los Angeles Times.
Qatar is the mediator of the ceasefire and hostage swap. A command center in the Qatari capital Doha will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages. Additional aid will also flow to the Gaza Strip during this time.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has faced increasing political risks in recent weeks, as families of kidnapped people have criticized the Israeli government for not doing enough to rescue their loved ones.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, a political rival of Mr Netanyahu, said the head of government's number one priority was to protect citizens. He said Mr Netanyahu failed to do that during the Hamas raid on Israeli territory on October 7.
Netanyahu’s approval ratings are falling. A new Bar Ilan University poll shows that less than 4% of Israeli Jews consider Netanyahu trustworthy when it comes to information about the war.
John Lyons, an analyst for ABC News in Australia, said the political impetus behind the ceasefire lies with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is “fighting for his political survival”.
Tel Aviv clearly wants the Israeli military to be able to locate and rescue the hostages without having to negotiate with Hamas or release Palestinian prisoners. However, Israeli ministers know they have no choice but to accept a compromise with Hamas.
“This deal is the only option available to rescue the hostages,” said David Horovitz, an analyst for the Times of Israel.
The newly reached ceasefire agreement not only enjoys widespread support among the Israeli people, but also enjoys high levels of consensus among the wartime cabinet. Even some of the most hardline elements of the current government, such as the Zionist Party, consider the agreement worth implementing.
International outrage over Israel's anti-Hamas campaign has also grown in recent weeks, as casualties have soared, medical facilities have been destroyed and many Palestinian children have become victims of the conflict.
Compiled by NGUYEN TAN
Source
Comment (0)