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Key Points
- Friday would be the earliest hostages held in Gaza by Hamas would be released, Israel said.
- The details of an agreed truce are being finalised.
- Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire for at least four days.
The starting time of the truce and release of hostages captured by Hamas during its 7 October attack on Israel had yet to be officially announced. An Egyptian security source said mediators sought a start time of 10 am Thursday (local time).
In retaliation, Israel has subjected Hamas-ruled Gaza to a siege and relentless bombardment. More than 14,000 Gazans have been killed, around 40 per cent of them children, according to medical officials in the territory.
Palestinian media reported that Israeli aircraft and artillery struck Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis in at least two waves early on Thursday.
Benjamin Netanyahu says aid can visit hostages
“We need to know they are alive, if they’re okay. It’s the minimum,” said Gilad Korngold, who drew just a measure of comfort from the deal between Israel and Hamas and was among those who was still awaiting word of relatives. Seven of his family members, including his 3-year-old granddaughter, were taken hostage.
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A Palestinian woman sits by houses destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Rafah. Source: AAP / Hatem Ali/AP
“I want everybody back. But I think – and it’s a very tough decision – but I think the children and women must be (first). they’re most fragile. You know, they need to get out.”
Gaza is the “most dangerous place in the world to be a child,” Catherine Russell, head of the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday.
More than 5,300 Palestinian children had reportedly been killed since 7 October Russell said.
Other countries voted against a UN resolution condemning Hamas in its entirety, as a terrorist organisation.
