GAZA BORDER: Combat between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters halted for first time in seven weeks in temporary truce ahead of planned release of Israeli hostages held by latter in exchange for jailed Palestinians.

No big bombings, artillery strikes or rocket attacks were reported, although Hamas and Israel both accused each other of sporadic shootings and other violations. Both said war would resume on full throttle as soon as truce was over.

In Khan Younis Town in southern Gaza, streets filled with people venturing out of home and shelters into landscape of buildings flattened into heaps of rubble. Displaced families with small children carried belongings in plastic bags, hoping to return at least temporarily to homes they had abandoned earlier in war.

“I am now very happy, I feel at ease. I am going back to my home, our hearts are rested,” said Ahmad Wael, smiling as he walked carrying carpet balanced on his head.  Columns of Israeli tanks rolled away from Gaza Strip’s northern end, while aid trucks entered from Egypt at southern end.

Four-day ceasefire, which began at 7am involves release of 50 women and children hostages held by fighters, in return for 150 Palestinian woman and teenagers held in Israeli jails. First 13 hostages and 39 Palestinians were due to be freed later.

Israel said it could be extended beyond four days if more hostages are freed at rate of at least 10 per day and Palestinian source has said up to 100 could ultimately go free.

Additional aid is to flow into Gaza, which has been gripped by humanitarian crisis under weeks of Israeli bombardment that has killed thousands of Palestinians.

.Hamas confirmed that all hostilities from its forces would cease. But Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, later stressed that this was “Temporary truce”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 25 2023

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