Humanitarian pause in Gaza to start Friday morning
24 Nov 2023 10:41am
Gaza - AFP Photo
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Qatar news agency (QNA) reported Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari in a press conference held at the ministry on Thursday said communications between Hamas, Israel, and the mediators have concluded, and lists of the names of those who will be released have been handed over.
He indicated that the first batch of civilian hostages comprise 13 persons, including women and children, would be handed over at around 4pm on Friday. Around 50 Israeli hostages would be released over four days, he said.
QNA reporte Al Ansari said that the Palestinian prisoners would be released from Israeli prisons within a time frame similar to the release of the hostages, describing the deal as an "exchange deal".
He stressed that once the humanitarian pause entered into force, aid would start flowing through the Rafah crossing in coordination with the Egyptian side.
On the extent of commitment to implementing the humanitarian pause, Al Ansari said "State of Qatar views the issue of commitment to implementing the terms of the humanitarian pause positively and with confidence as it found a high commitment from both parties”, according to QNA.
He also stressed that it had been agreed that there would be a complete ceasefire during the humanitarian truce, adding that he hoped there would be no violations by both parties, which would contribute to a clear atmosphere for the release of the hostages.
Al Ansari underscored Qatar's hope that this pause would contribute to finding a chance to initiate more work within the framework of achieving a permanent truce and peace. - BERNAMA
