23 November 2023 , 09:42
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The release of kidnapped Israelis from Gaza has been delayed by 24 hours as families say the process "is like Russian roulette."
The agreement of the four-day cease-fire in Gaza and the release of dozens of Hamas-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel will now not take effect until Friday, a senior military official said. The diplomatic breakthrough promised some relief for the over 1.7 million Palestinians who have fled their homes under weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel fearful for the fate of their loved ones captured during Hamas' October 7 attack that triggered the war.
One woman, Keren Schem, is anxiously awaiting news of her daughter, Mia, who was taken hostage by Hamas at a music festival in southern Israel during the attacks on October 7. Speaking with NBC News, Keren said: "It’s like a Russian roulette — we’re waiting to see who will come back home. It’s crazy. We don’t have names yet. Only speculations that it is going to be mothers and their children. And it’s tough, very tough." She said she got a phone call from Israeli authorities to tell her about the deal, but nothing beyond that.
Israel's national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, announced the delay late Wednesday, without providing a reason. Israeli media reported that some final details were still being worked out. The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, which played a key role in mediating with Hamas, said early Thursday that a new time for the agreement to go into force would be announced "in the coming hours."
It was originally set to begin at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT) Thursday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a nationally televised news conference that the war would resume after the truce expires, with the goal of destroying Hamas' military capabilities. Israel has threatened to launch wider operations in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people who fled the north have crammed into overflowing U.N.-run shelters with dwindling food, water and basic supplies.
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For Hamas, the cease-fire would provide an opportunity to regroup after weeks of apparently heavy losses. Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar, who is believed to be alive and in hiding in Gaza, is likely to claim the release of Palestinian prisoners as a major achievement and declare victory if the war ends. Under the truce deal, 50 hostages will be freed in stages, in exchange for the release of what Hamas said would be 150 Palestinian prisoners. Both sides will release women and children first, and Israel said the truce would be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed by Hamas.