Home » Qatar mediates hostage release amid fragile ceasefire tensions

Qatar mediates hostage release amid fragile ceasefire tensions

Qatar announced an agreement early Monday to release an Israeli civilian hostage and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, marking a pivotal moment in the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

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File source: AP News

Qatar announced an agreement early Monday to release an Israeli civilian hostage and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, marking a pivotal moment in the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 

According to Qatar, Hamas will release Arbel Yehoud and two other hostages by Friday, while Israeli authorities will permit Palestinian civilians to move north starting Monday morning.  

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the developments, stating the hostage release, including Israeli soldier Agam Berger, is set for Thursday. Israel’s military noted that crossing into northern Gaza will open at 7 a.m. Monday. Tensions arose when Israel delayed Saturday’s planned return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, citing Hamas’ failure to release Yehoud. Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of violating the ceasefire.  

Hamas announced it had submitted required information on hostages to be released during the ceasefire’s six-week first phase. The Israeli government confirmed receiving the list, which coincides with plans for three additional hostages to be freed next Saturday.  

However, the ceasefire remains fraught with violence. Thousands of Palestinians gathered near the Netzarim corridor on Sunday, hoping to return home. Local health officials reported Israeli forces fired on the crowd, killing two and wounding nine. Israel’s military claimed the shootings were warnings directed at individuals it deemed a threat.  

Amid the ceasefire, U.S. President Donald Trump proposed temporarily resettling Gaza’s population in Egypt and Jordan to “clean out” the war-torn enclave, sparking backlash. Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian leaders rejected the suggestion, fearing permanent displacement. Hamas official Bassem Naim dismissed the idea, asserting, “Palestinians will rebuild Gaza even better than before if Israel lifts its blockade.”  

The ceasefire follows the 15-month war ignited by Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel. The first phase of the agreement includes the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Despite the relative calm, Hamas insists it will not free remaining hostages without an end to the war, while Israel vows to resume its offensive until Hamas is dismantled.  

The conflict’s toll remains staggering. Over 47,000 Palestinians, including many women and children, have died, with Gaza’s Health Ministry estimating more than 17,000 of those killed were combatants. Israeli forces, meanwhile, have recovered hostages and bodies from Gaza, with civilian casualties continuing to mount on both sides.  

As Palestinians await their turn to move north, frustration boils over. “The fate of more than a million people is linked to one person,” said Fadi al-Sinwar, referencing Yehoud’s captivity. For many, the ongoing violence underscores the fragility of a ceasefire aimed at halting a devastating war.  

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