Diplomatic Breakthrough - Israel-Hamas Agreement to Release Hostages Amidst Ongoing Conflict
In a recent development in the Israel-Hamas conflict, an agreement has been reached to release 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough since the conflict's onset. The deal entails the release of civilian hostages in exchange for the freedom of 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and a temporary four-day pause in hostilities. Notably, the hostages to be released are primarily women and children, including some Americans, while the Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad has declined to release Israeli hostages. The Israeli government approved the deal after extended deliberations, and the negotiations were facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. Despite the agreement, fighting continued in the lead-up to the scheduled pause. The White House has praised its role in securing the release deal and pledged ongoing support for Israel, while Iran has issued a warning about the conflict potentially spreading across the wider Middle East. Additionally, the Israeli military has released videos showing tunnels beneath al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, with Israel claiming these findings demonstrate Hamas' use of hospitals for military purposes, a claim contested by Hamas and some health workers.