Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

  • Ceasefire: A ceasefire agreement was today (Nov 21, 2023) announced. It calls for the release 50 Israeli hostages in return for a ceasefire/pause in the Israel-Hamas war for 4 days starting Thursday Nov 22, 2023.
  • Parties: A hostage release agreement brokered by Qatar, the US and Egypt was approved by the Israeli Cabinet overnight November 21-22, 2023 by a majority of 35-3 ministers.
  • Who will be released: 50 Israelis are to be released by Hamas and 150 Hamas terrorists not guilty of murder are to be released by Israel. The 50 Israelis consist of 30 children, 8 mothers and 12 other adult women.
  • This is not all: the Israeli hostages currently thought to total 238.
  • An extra day’s pause: will be added for every additional group of 10 hostages released.
  • Israelis have 24 hours to appeal: to the Israeli High Court of Justice against the ceasefire.
  • On the Hamas side: stone-throwers and others not guilty of murder may be eligible for release.
  • Extendable: The ceasefire may apparently be extendable.
  • The ground campaign is to continue immediately after the ceasefire/pause according to an express clause in the Israeli cabinet’s decision.
  • During the ceasefire: Hamas is to make efforts to locate more children held hostage by other factions in Gaza. The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause.
  • Surveillance: Israel is to halt aircraft surveillance over Gaza for six hours each day of the ceasefire in exchange for the release of some of the hostages under Hamas’s captivity. An Israeli official reportedly said. “We will not be blind and we’ll know what’s happening on the ground,” .
  • The Israeli PM’s Office explained: “Tonight, the Government has approved the outline of the first stage of achieving this goal, according to which at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held. The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause. The Government of Israel, the IDF and the security services will continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza.” (X/Twitter)
  • Hamas announced according to the Israeli Kan broadcasting website in Hebrew (our unofficial translation): “After complicated negotiations lasting many days, we announce a humanitarian ceasefire of 4 days, due to intensive efforts by Egypt and Qatar.” Kan says that according to Hamas, the deal includes a ceasefire by both sides, stoppage of all military operations by Israel throughout Gaza, as well a movement of its military equipment, the entry of hundreds of trucks with humanitarian and medical aid and fuel, stoppage of Israeli aircraft in South Gaza for 4 days, the stoppage of Israeli aircraft in North Gaza 10am to 4pm every day, and assurance of free passage from the North to the on the Salakh-A-Din highway. Hamas also reported that Israel undertakes not to hit or arrest anyone in the Gaza Strip and emphasizes “our finger will be on the fuel”.
  • PM Netanyahu commented: “This is a difficult but correct decision” supported by all security agencies. The ceasefire will enable the IDF to prepare. The war will continue until we achieve all our objectives especially the return of all the hostages. (Kan Hebrew website)
  • Who objected: Kan reported that only the Otzma Yehudit party of Itamar Ben-Gvir voted against the Israeli Cabinet decision. Bezalel Smotrich initially objected but later agreed to the deal.
  • Comment: It may be assumed Hamas will use the ceasefire days to prepare and promote its survival by increasing its propaganda effort. The Israeli Cabinet decision (35-3) followed an undertaking by Netanyahu to continue the war with the aim of toppling Hamas after the ceasefire. There was no mention of sheltering ordinary Gazans in the Hamas tunnel network. The US White House has pointed out that some US citizens will remain hostages, and the US government will be pressing for their release and the release of all hostages – Hamas is responsible even if Islamic Jihad or others hold some hostages.
  • What will the end of the war look like? If General Macarthur’s experience in Japan in 1945 is any example, unconditional surrender followed by great change, all possible here. Read how at: https://israelok.com/the-day-after-the-gaza-war/
  • Delay: The ceasefire which was due to start Nov 23, 2023, has been postponed. No names have yet been exchanged of people for release, while final details are still being sorted out. There are hopes the first round of hostage releases might take place a day later on Friday Nov 24, 2023. In the meantime, the IDF is continuing the war with Hamas (Kan radio and others)
  • Happy: Hamas leadership are euphoric following the announcement of the ceasefire (humanitarian pause) as they believe they can survive and continue to rule. In retaliation, PM Netanyahu has ordered their assassination (Kan TV and radio)
  • Arrests: The IDF has reportedly arrested the Director and other doctors of the Shifa hospital. This follows the discovery of a labyrinth of well equipped military tunnels under the hospital and e2023 Nov 23, ).
  • Hezbollah: The ceasefire would not cover Hezbollah and the Israel-Lebanon border, where skirmishes continue (Jerusalem Post, Kan).
  • Lebanon: Heavier barrages are reported from Hezbollah, the IDF has retaliated.
  • Cameron: UK Foreign Minister Lord David Cameron visited today Kibbutz Be’eri to see for himself the results of the October 7 massacre, and urged everyone involved to make sure the ceasefire happens
  • Beirut meeting: The Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian today met the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and discussed “efforts to stop Israeli aggression”.
  • Drone deal: Israel Aircraft Industries has just signed large deals with 2 other countries to supply roaming accurate kamikaze drones which have proved themselves in the Israel-Hamas war. Two more countries have already purchased this equipment
  • Ceasefire back on apparently: The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced that the ceasefire is to begin tomorrow Friday Nov 24 at 7am local time and the first batch of 13 women and children will be handed over at 4pm. Relatives of the 13 and the other hostages have been updated. Given the unexpected delay, Israelis want to know whether the Red Cross will visit the other hostages, as mentioned by PM Netanyahu yesterday Nov 22.

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