Gaza’s Humanitarian Pause Scheduled to Begin on Nov. 24 at 07:00AM
It is worth reminding that what is being implemented is a 4-day truce - not a permanent ceasefire.
The Gaza Strip’s humanitarian pause is set to commence on November 24 at 7 am local time (05:00 am GMT), as announced by the Qatari Foreign Ministry, noting that the Palestinian resistance is scheduled to release the first captives at 04:00 pm on the same day.
Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari: The humanitarian pause in Gaza will begin at 7 am on Friday November 24#MOFAQatar
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) November 23, 2023
The ministry stated that a total of 13 Israeli women and children will be released on the initial day of the humanitarian pause in exchange for a number of Palestinian women and children.
The ministry has reported the conclusion of discussions with all involved parties and mediators for a truce in the Gaza Strip.
“The list of hostages that will be released has been handed to the Israeli Intelligence Services,” the statement read.
Hamas confirms truce
Hamas has also confirmed that the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip is scheduled to commence on November 24 at 07:00 a.m. local time (05:00 a.m. GMT).
“The truce will come into force on November 24 at 07:00. The truce will last for four days, starting Friday morning,” Hamas said in a statement, adding that during the humanitarian truce, 200 trucks with aid will enter the enclave daily.
Additionally, it has been mentioned that “Israel” will release three Palestinian prisoners for every freed Israeli hostage.
Al Qassam Brigades confirm truce
The military wing of Hamas, Al-Qassam Brigades, also confirmed that the truce will begin tomorrow.
“The truce will last for 4 days, starting on Friday morning, accompanied by a cessation of all military actions by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the Palestinian resistance, and the Zionist enemy [Israel] throughout the truce period,” Al Qassam said.
Truce does not mean peace
It is worth reminding that what is being implemented is a truce – not a permanent ceasefire.
The difference between a truce and a humanitarian pause is that a humanitarian pause, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is defined as a “temporary cessation of hostilities purely for humanitarian purposes” and requires “the agreement of all relevant parties,” stressing that typically it is implemented for “a defined period and specific geographic area.”
Therefore, it is highly likely that fighting is set to resume once the truce expires.
In an exclusive interview with Al Mayadeen on Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that if the cessation of hostilities does not continue, the circumstances in the region would change, and the war’s scope would widen.
“We do not look forward to its expansion, but any possibility is on the table if the aggression continues.”