David Cameron visits Israel as Hamas hostage deal delayed
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A four-day ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has begun at the scheduled time of 7am, which will follow the release of 13 women and children under a Qatar-brokered truce.
Hostages will be released nine hours after the beginning of a humanitarian pause in Gaza, Qatar’s foreign ministry said.
Increased aid for Palestinians will start to enter Gaza “as soon as possible”, Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari added.
He did not say how many Palestinian prisoners would be freed, but officials have said three would be freed for every hostage.
“The first batch of civilians to be released from Gaza will be around 4pm of the same day. They will be 13 in number, all women, and children and those hostages of the same families will be put together in the same batch,” he added.
It is expected that at least 50 hostages will be freed by Hamas during the four-day ceasefire under a new deal with Israel, brokered by Qatar and the US.
Dozens of children and their mothers held captive in Gaza since Hamas’s brutal incursion into Israel on 7 October will be freed via Egypt, according to the agreement.
1700808354Rocket alarms sound in Gaza border towns just after ceasefireThe Israeli military sounded sirens in two villages near the Gaza Strip on Friday, warning of possible rocket attacks from the Hamas-ruled region just 15 minutes after a four-day truce came into force.
There was no confirmation of a rocket launch, which would be the first violation of the Qatar-brokered truce.
Rocket alarms were also sounded in two border villages just two hours prior to the commencement of the truce, Times of Israel reported.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 06:45
1700808290Live: View of Rafah crossing as Israel and Hamas agree to four-day ceasefire
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 06:44
1700807422Israeli troops arrest Al-Shifa hospital directorThe director of Gaza’s largest hospital and several other medical personnel were reportedly arrested by Israeli forces on Thursday.
Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa, was arrested as he evacuated patients to the south of the conflict-torn strip, AFP reported citing his colleague.
The Israeli forces said the director was being questioned over evidence that Hamas militants used Al-Shifa as an alleged command and control centre.
The military raided the hospital last week.“Doctor Mohammad Abu Salmiya was arrested along with several other senior doctors,” said Khalid Abu Samra, a chief of department at the hospital.
One other doctor and two nurses had been detained by the Israeli forces, a Gaza health ministry official told AFP.
The Hamas said it “strongly denounces” the arrest of Dr Salmiya and his colleagues, calling on the International Committee of the Red Cross and other organisations to press for their “immediate release”.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 06:30
1700806554IDF destroys Hamas tunnel before truceThe Israeli Defence Force (IDF) says it has completed its “operational preparations” according to the combat lines of the pause.
Earlier today, IDF troops destroyed a route of underground tunnels and a number of tunnel shafts discovered in the area of the Al-Shifa Hospital.
Over the last day and night, IDF troops on the ground, in the air, and at sea continued to strike terror targets, operate in different areas to locate suspicious structures and engage with terrorists, the IDF officials said on Friday.
Videos showed some IDF tanks crossing the border from Gaza into Israel on Friday morning, though the extent to which Israel’s forces will withdraw from positions in Gaza for the duration of the ceasefire remains unclear.
Bel Trew reports from Tel Aviv.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 06:15
1700805978Displaced Palestinians return to their ravaged homesA displaced Palestinian man, who fled his house due to Israeli strikes, carries his belongings as he makes his way back to his home, in Khan Younis
(REUTERS)
Palestinians carrying belongings walk next to a destroyed car, during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis
(REUTERS)
Palestinians walk on a street during a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Younis
(REUTERS)
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 06:06
1700805600Commander of Hamas’s naval forces killed, IDF saysAmar Abu Jalalah was killed along with another member of the Hamas naval forces, the IDF said in a statement.
It said Jalalah was “a senior operative in Hamas’s naval forces and was involved in directing several terror attacks by sea that were thwarted.”
Alexander Butler24 November 2023 06:00
1700803822Over 100 Russians evacuated from GazaMore than 100 Russian nationals were airlifted by a special aircraft from conflict-torn Gaza, the Russian emergencies ministry said on Friday.
At least 101 Russian nationals had been taken from Gaza to Egypt in the past 24 hours, bringing to more than 750 the total number of Russian evacuees, the ministry said on Telegram.
The group flew home aboard a chartered Ilyushin-76 aircraft, it added.
More than 650 had been flown to Russia, including more than 300 children.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 05:30
1700802452Gaza ceasefire beginsA four-day ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has begun at the scheduled time of 7am, with the pause in fighting due to be followed by the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said both sides had exchanged lists of those to be released, and the first group of 13 women and children held by Hamas would be freed on Friday afternoon.
He did not say how many Palestinian prisoners would be freed, but officials have said three would be freed for every hostage.
Increased aid for Palestinians will start to enter Gaza “as soon as possible,” Mr al-Ansari said.
The hope is that the “momentum” from this deal will lead to an “end to this violence”, he told reporters on Thursday.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 05:07
1700802060Up to 27 people killed in strike on UN school in Jabalia refugee camp, Gazan health ministry claimsThe health ministry in Gaza said 27 Palestinians have been killed in a strike on a school affiliated with the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) in Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
At least 27 people were killed and 93 wounded in the strike, AFP reported that a Palestinian doctor said.
Alexander Butler24 November 2023 05:01
1700800222UK’s David Cameron to meet Palestinian leadersDavid Cameron will meet with Palestinian leaders to discuss how Britain can help alleviate the crisis in Gaza after the announcement of a truce in the war between Israel and Hamas.
The foreign secretary earlier held talks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Isaac Herzog as it was confirmed a four-day ceasefire will begin on Friday morning.
Lord Cameron will continue his visit to the region on Friday, meeting with Palestinian leaders to focus on how the UK can help respond to the crisis in Gaza.
“Tomorrow, in meetings with Palestinian leaders and aid agencies, he will focus on how UK efforts can help alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” the foreign office said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“We are working towards a long-term political solution to this crisis.”
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar24 November 2023 04:30
