A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will begin Sunday, allowing for the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Tel Aviv: So, there’s a ceasefire happening between Israel and Hamas. It kicks off at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. The first three hostages, all women, are set to be freed later that day. Exciting, right?
Israel thinks 25 out of 33 hostages on the list are alive. That’s a relief for many families. But here’s the twist: Israel is also planning to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in return. It’s a big deal.
Now, the Israeli government is waiting for Hamas to send over the names of the first three hostages. They were supposed to do this 24 hours in advance, but as of Saturday night, nothing came through. Prime Minister Netanyahu is not happy about this. He’s made it clear that they won’t move forward until they get that list.
Families of victims are also in the loop. They’re getting notices about the release of the terrorists involved in the attacks on their loved ones. It’s a tough situation for everyone involved.
The Israeli Cabinet had a long meeting to approve this ceasefire. It wasn’t an easy decision, but they felt it was necessary to bring the hostages home. Some ministers were torn about it, but they voted for it anyway.
As for the hostages, they’re considered “humanitarian” cases. This includes women, children, and older folks. The first three will be back on Sunday, and then more will follow each week. It’s a slow process, but at least it’s happening.
In the end, this ceasefire is a step towards peace, even if it’s just a small one. Let’s hope it leads to something better for everyone involved.