The Gaza-based Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement has reacted to the deal for a four-day truce in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the captive Israeli soldiers won’t be freed until all Palestinian prisoners being kept in the regime’s jails are released.
The Islamic Jihad, in a statement released on Wednesday, said the agreement between Hamas and Israel to swap detainees and pause fighting in Gaza was concluded following strenuous efforts and protracted negotiations through mediators, and in light of the irresolution of Israeli authorities.
“Captive soldiers of the Zionist enemy will not be freed until all Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli prisons and detention centers,” the statement noted.
Hamas movement announced early on Wednesday morning that it had reached an agreement with Israel on a four-day humanitarian ceasefire following concentrated mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt.
“Based on our responsibility towards our long-suffering and steadfast Palestinian people, and our tireless endeavor to strengthen the steadfastness of our heroic people in our proud Gaza, to assist them and heal their wounds … and after difficult and complex negotiations for several days, we announce — with help and blessing from Almighty Allah — that we have reached a humanitarian truce agreement (temporary ceasefire) for a period of four days, thanks to persistent and appreciated Qatari and Egyptian efforts,” the movement stated.
The statement highlighted that the deal will allow the entry of hundreds of aid trucks carrying humanitarian, relief, medical, and fuel supplies into all neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip.
Air traffic will stop completely in southern Gaza for the period and for daily six-hour intervals in the north.
Additionally, 50 captive Israeli settlers will be freed in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails.
In a vote early Wednesday morning, Israel’s cabinet approved the agreement on “a pause in the fighting.”
It further held out the potential for an extension, claiming that an extra day would be added for each additional 10 captives available for release.
An Israeli official also claimed the deal is expected to see the release of 50 Israelis in groups of 12-13 people per day.
Israel waged the bloody war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm in the occupied territories in retaliation for the Tel Aviv regime’s incessant crimes against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 14,128 Palestinians, including 5,840 children and 3,920 women, and injured more than 33,000 others.
It has also imposed a “complete siege” on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.
