Cairo: Egypt appreciates Qatar’s efforts to maintain the humanitarian pause for the third day between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), which took place through the mediation of Qatar, the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America.
In statements issued on Sunday, Diaa Rashwan, the head of the State Information Service in Egypt, said that the Palestinian-Israeli pause is in effect without obstacles for the third day, thanks to the intensive efforts made by Egypt in collaboration with the brothers in Qatar, who are making commendable efforts worthy of praise and thanks.
He added that these joint efforts resulted in the start of the pause on its scheduled date, and the success in overcoming the obstacles encountered on Saturday and the return to the implementation of all agreed-upon provisions by both the Palestinian and Israeli sides.
The Egyptian official also noted that 120 trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including two carrying fuel and two transporting household cooking gas, heading to northern Gaza in coordination with the United Nations and the Palestine Red Crescent Society. He pointed out that the number of these trucks is subject to increase in the coming hours.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Saturday, the Official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari said that the second batch of prisoners and hostages included the release of 39 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of 13 Israeli hostages in Gaza in addition to seven other civilians from foreign countries were released outside the framework of the humanitarian pause agreement.
Al Ansari added, “After a delay in implementing the release of prisoners from both sides, the obstacles were overcome through Qatari-Egyptian-American communications with both sides.”
He pointed out, “Qatar’s hope is that the momentum of the last 48 hours can be sustained to extend the pause once the current deal expires and lead to further discussions about a more sustainable truce to end the violence.”
The agreement generally stipulates the exchange of 50 civilian women and children hostages in the Gaza Strip in the first stage in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, provided that the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement. The pause, which lasts for four days and can be renewed, allows the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel intended for humanitarian needs.
