Hamas' armed wing says it is ready to free 70 Israeli hostages in return for a 5-day cease-fire

Nov 14, 2023 ·

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group in control of Gaza, has offered to release 70 Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-day truce with Israel. This offer comes amidst an escalating conflict between the two sides, with numerous civilian casualties and displacement.

The proposed ceasefire, which was offered by Hamas on November 27th, will last five days, and would involve a halt in all hostilities and military activity on both sides. In return, Hamas has offered to free 70 Israeli civilians who were taken hostage during the course of the recent fighting. Hamas also indicated that it would be willing to negotiate further after the truce had come into effect.

Israel has not yet responded to the offer, though it is widely expected that the government will reject the proposal as it has done with previous ceasefire offers. The Israeli government has stated that its only goal in the current conflict is to restore long-term peace and security to the region.

The civilian toll in Gaza since the beginning of the conflict has been high, with over 800 dead and more than 4,000 injured. The United Nations estimates that over 100,000 people in Gaza have been displaced, either through fleeing their homes or from direct destruction. Aid organizations have warned that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening as a result of the conflict.

Despite the ongoing violence, there is some hope that the conflict can be resolved. Many international leaders have called for a ceasefire and negotiations, and the U.N. has urged both sides to come to the table. For now, the future of the conflict remains uncertain, with both sides unwilling to make concessions and the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorating.