Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday night that the hostage release deal with Hamas does not mark the end of the war.
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"We are committed to continuing until all our goals are met: securing the return of all our hostages, eradicating Hamas and ensuring that no group supporting terrorism, indoctrinating its children to terror or paying terrorists and their families, takes control in Gaza," he told a joint press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Minister Benny Gantz.
Defense Minister Gallant emphasized that despite the agreement, Israel will “intensify [its] efforts to free additional hostages" after the cease-fire, without expanding on what that would entail.
Minister Gantz issued a stern warning to Hezbollah in Lebanon after weeks of cross-border violence.
"What is happening now in northern Gaza could also happen in southern Lebanon; what happened to Gaza could happen to Beirut,” he said.
Israel will not inform families in advance when their loved ones will return as part of the prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, even after receiving the list of names, before the returned captives are identified with certainty, a senior Israeli official confirmed Wednesday evening.
"We don't want to create false hopes and emotional distress," he explained. "Once they are in our hands, we will inform the family and bring them to the meeting point at the hospital - where the families can be together."
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Families of Gaza hostages call for release of loved ones in Tel Aviv demonstration
(Photo: Tal Shahar)
"The first day is a test for us. If we see the other side is credible, we might decide to change our approach and notify the families. As it stands, it seems that the families will only be notified after identification."
"Unfortunately, if in case of a child and a father together, there's a chance they might be separated, and only the child will be brought over."
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated network Al Mayadeen reported that the Indonesian Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip was "evacuated of all patients and refugees in anticipation of an IDF incursion."
Hamas politburo member Moussa Abu Marzouk said that the cease-fire negotiated between Israel and Hamas will come into effect at 10 am on Thursday. In an interview with Al Jazeera from Qatar, Abu Marzouk said Hamas will fulfill its commitments in the agreement. He said the hostages who will be released hold foreign passports in addition to their Israeli ones but did not specify which nationalities they were from.
Senior Hamas official Fawzi Barhoum branded the deal as a victory for the terrorist organization. "We broke the enemy's political stance and created a situation that forced their leadership to succumb to our terms," he said.
According to him, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, "achieved a strategic victory on October 7 and will remain strong, ready to act if the occupation commits any violation."
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing Israeli officials, that the Israeli Air Force will not fly over southern Gaza during a cease-fire agreed upon with Hamas and will have a six-hour daily window in which there will be no flights in the northern end of the territory.
Soldiers who will be on hand to greet the children released by Hamas were instructed not to provide information about the families left behind if asked. They were told to introduce themselves and tell the freed captives that they are IDF soldiers and would escort them home. They are to tell the children freed that they are safe and that the soldiers are there to care for them.
The soldiers were told not to pick the children up unless they asked for it. and to help them walk if they require help. they could offer a hug or hold hands but must receive the child's consent or that of his or her mother if she is there.
"You must remember that any physical contact could be intrusive and the child, no matter how young must be able to decide if it is wanted." The soldiers were also told to address the children by name so as to instill a sense of security in him or her.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between Israel and Hamas. "We are working non-stop so that all the hostages are freed," he said in a post on X.
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French President Emmanuel Macron with the families of hostages during his visit to Israel last month
(Photo: Christophe Ena / Reuters)
British foreign minister David Cameron also welcomed the agreement calling it a crucial step and urging the parties to deliver the deal in full. "This agreement is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," Cameron said. "I urge all parties to deliver the agreement in full."
The IDF said on Wednesday that it attacked Hezbollah targets in South Lebanon after rocket fire from there targeted the Galilee. Rocket sirens were heard earlier warning of incoming fire. Hassan Nasrallah said in a meeting with senior officials in the Hamas terror group that while a pause in the fighting is in place in Gaza, he too may hold his fire if Israel refrains from attacking his forces.
National Security Council head Tzachi Hanegbi said the deal to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza is in line with Israel's objectives in the war. However, he added, that after the hostages are freed, Israel would continue its war on the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Hanegbi said the hostage deal would improve Israel's international standing and its legitimacy in its fight to eradicate Hamas.
The IDF confirmed the death of Captain Liron Snir, 25, a Golani soldier, from Ofra and Staff Sergeant Eitan Dov Rosenzweig, 21, a Givati soldier, from Alon Shvut who were killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip.
Security forces raided the West Bank city of Tulkarm overnight to arrest terror suspects. The troops encountered fire from armed terrorists who also hurled explosive devices at them. The force entered the town to arrest terror suspects and uncovered weapons and a lab used to make explosive devices.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, at least five people were killed in a drone attack on the camp. The troops were still operating there.
Justice Ministry published the names of 300 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released in exchange for Israeli hostages. The list posted on the Justice Ministry website includes 150 females and minors that Israel has agreed to free in return for 50 hostages in an initial four-day war pause that could lead to further releases.
First published: 08:20, 11.22.23