The hourglass of the ceasefire is running out: Israel is counting down to the end of the temporary ceasefire as part of the deal to return women and children from captivity in Gaza, which may last no more than Saturday. The ten days set for the execution of the transaction, including an extension, end on Sunday.
Watch: The 13 abductees released in the second phase are handed over to the Red Cross // Photo: Use in accordance with section 27A of the Copyright Law
According to Israeli estimates, Hamas currently has about 20 women and children left who can be released in two phases, one starting tonight and the other on Friday, another and final phase of individuals could also take place on Saturday and then the ceasefire will end. In recent days, however, talks have resumed on another agreement dealing with the fate of the remaining prisoners held by Hamas – men, soldiers and female soldiers. Israel has made it clear that these talks will take place as long as women and children continue to be released to Israel as part of the first agreement and the ceasefire continues.
Red Cross vehicle with abductees. The last beat on Saturday?, Photo: AFP
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Israel this morning to promise that Israel would be committed to discussions on extending the ceasefire, as he told President Herzog this morning. The United States wants to extend the ceasefire in order to exhaust the possibilities of releasing all the hostages, but Israel has made it clear time and time again that Israel is looking to renew the fighting and not to a ceasefire that will become permanent. The proposal on the table, as reported, includes a higher price for the men and soldiers on a list of thousands of released terrorists, as well as an extension of the ceasefire.
As of last night, Israel said it would reject out of hand a proposal that included a permanent ceasefire. During the night, Israel pressed to change the composition of the list that will be released today, and finally the war cabinet ministers made do with the release of eight abductees tonight who will join the two other citizens released yesterday who have dual citizenship – Israeli and Russian. In addition, the framework also discussed the possibility of returning to Israel the bodies of three abductees whose identities have not yet been verified in Israel.
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