Israel Set to Approve Hostage Release Deal With Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 38-minister cabinet gathered on Tuesday for a detailed debate and vote on a deal that would see the release of around 50 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Despite opposition from the Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties, the government ha...
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Facts
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's 38-minister cabinet gathered on Tuesday for a detailed debate and vote on a deal that would see the release of around 50 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Despite opposition from the Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit parties, the government has a majority to approve the deal.1
- According to CBS News, the agreement brokered by the US and Qatar would include a limited six-hour cease-fire for four days as well as the release of three Palestinian prisoners — women and children — held in Israeli detention centers for each hostage freed.2
- Early on Tuesday, Hamas' political leader abroad, Ismail Haniyeh, said that Hamas was 'close to reaching a truce agreement' with Israel in Qatari-mediated negotiations. Netanyahu said progress was being made and that 'I don't think it's worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon.'3
- US Pres. Joe Biden said that 'things are looking good at the moment' and that a deal is 'very close.' Around 240 people were taken hostage by Gaza militants during Hamas's Oct. 7 surprise attack against Israel. The deal would also likely see a temporary increase of humanitarian aid into the besieged strip.4
- In Gaza City, Israeli forces have encircled the Indonesian Hospital, with Gaza’s health ministry spokesperson saying that Israel was “laying siege” to the hospital. Israel claimed that militants were operating within the compound. Around 2K people are reportedly sheltering at the hospital as well as around 400 patients.5
- In south Lebanon, where hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian-backed political party and armed group, have gradually escalated, four people, including two journalists, were killed in Israeli strikes near the border. More than 50 journalists have reportedly been killed since the war began on Oct. 7.6
- On Monday, Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry said that over 14K people in the Gaza Strip have reportedly been killed, over two-thirds of which were women and children; the ministry also reported 33K wounded. The official Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1.2K people.7
Sources: 1The times of israel, 2CBS, 3Reuters (a), 4The hill, 5Guardian, 6Reuters (b) and 7Haaretz.com.
Narratives
- Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Times of israel. While freeing hostages is of the utmost important, Israel must not succumb to international pressure. Hamas has a history of forcing unfair deals, and if entered into carelessly, it could use the ceasefire to regroup and rearm itself and perpetuate its dominance in Gaza. Any negotiation with the terrorists could be destructive to Israel's future, which is why it must proceed cautiously.
- Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Though the Israel Defense Forces are getting closer to the hostages, a tactical assault on Hamas to free the captives could lead to the deaths of many more. Israel must do whatever it takes to bring its citizens home immediately, including a prisoner exchange or a temporary ceasefire, which will also see much-needed aid reach Gaza, where a humanitarian cataclysm is currently unfolding.
