There will be no “Closer Look” this week as the Temporary Ceasefire is an ongoing story and its significance is not yet known. I will give a full analysis in a few days when we have more clarity on the implications of the hostage deal. For now, here are the important news stories over the past 10 days.
Quick Hits
Hostage Deal
A temporary ceasefire and hostage for criminally convicted Palestinians exchange has been agreed upon between Israel and Hamas. Here are the details:
Hamas will release thirteen women and children on Friday and ten each day for the next five days. The ceasefire can be extended an additional day for every ten additional hostages released.
Israel will release 150 prisoners accused or convicted of offenses such as stabbing IDF officers and car bombing who are women and adolescents.
Hamas will permit the Red Cross to observe the hostages and ensure they are being cared for
Israel will permit aid trucks to come into Northern and Southern Gaza
Israel will turn off their aerial surveillance capabilities for six hours per day.
Friday, November 24th, Hamas released 13 Israeli women and children. Hamas also released 10 Thai agricultural workers kidnapped on October 7th in a separate deal mediated between the Thai government and Hamas mediated by Iran.
Saturday, November 25th, after a tenuous delay, Hamas eventually released 13 more Israeli women and children alongside four foreign nationals. This was following a series of false accusations that Israel violated the agreement by not allowing enough aid into Gaza. In return, Israel released 39 prisoners.
Sunday, November 26th, 14 Israeli women and children were released on Sunday in exchange for 42 Palestinian prisoners 3 more Thai prisoners were released in a separate deal mediated by Iran.
Monday, November 27th, 11 Israeli women and children were released on Monday in exchange for 33 Palestinean prisoners.
Tuesday, November 28th, the ceasefire was extended, and 12 Israeli women and children were released in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Wednesday, November 29th, the ceasefire was extended an additional day, and 10 Israeli women and children were released alongside 4 Thai nationals and 2 Dual Israeli-Russian nationals who were released in a separate deal.
Thursday, November 30th, 6 Jewish Israeli women and children were released alongside 2 Israeli Arabs. Several deceased bodies are apparently being returned to Israel by Hamas, but these reports have yet to be confirmed.
Other News
On November 25th, a mob of Palestinians in the West Bank lynched two Palestinians who were purported to have provided information to the IDF. Their bodies were strung up on electric poles to warn others of the consequences of “collaboration.” The link to the video is here, but viewer discretion is heavily advised.
Hamas has violated the terms of the ceasefire twice in the first two days of the ceasefire, first by firing rockets into southern Israel 15 minutes after the start of the ceasefire and second by “delaying” the release of the second round of hostages. Qatari and Egyptian mediators are said to have stepped in to prevent the total collapse of the ceasefire.
Thursday, November 30th, two Hamas gunmen killed 3 and wounded 6 Israeli civilians at a bus stop in a senseless terror attack and yet another violation of the ceasefire. The murderers were shot down at the scene of the crime.
Thursday, November 30th, Hamas released a video filming themselves telling the father of 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, 4-year-old Ariel Bibas, and 34-year-old Shiri Bibas that his wife and children have been killed. The Hamas filmers blame the IDF for the family’s death. We do not know if this is true or not as of Thursday night. 10-month-old Kfir was the youngest hostage taken on October 7th.
A Skynews reporter asked an Israeli spokesperson if Israel values Palestinian life less than Israeli because they are getting one Israeli hostage for three Palestinian prisoners. An astonishing asininity emblematic of the absurd double standards consistently faced by Israel from mainstream media outlets.
This makes me terribly sad... and angry. Hamas are sadistic killers. I worry about the terms of trade - 3:1 convicted killers for innocent civilians.