UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER, CHANGES DECK
By Nur Asena Erturk
ANKARA (AA) – The French foreign minister on Wednesday hailed the agreement between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on the humanitarian pause in the fighting in Gaza.
"We must hail this agreement, this is a moment of true hope," Catherine Colonna told local broadcaster France Inter.
This is the first time of an "effective release," the top diplomat stressed, as she expressed hope that French nationals would be released too.
Colonna said Israel has the right to defend itself but also the duty to "respect humanitarian law and protect civilians."
"There have been too many casualties in Gaza," she said. "Every life counts. In Gaza, and elsewhere. We'd say the same about the Palestinian civilians who were killed by the Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Some 200 people were killed already, this is unacceptable. It is unworthy of a democracy like Israel."
Colonna urged Israel to stop the violence and said an entire blockade did comply with international law.
Israel and Hamas announced a truce-for-hostage release deal early Wednesday.
Under the Qatar-mediated agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails, Israeli media reported.
The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.
The agreement also allows an extension of the pause and the potential release of more children and women held by the two sides.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry also announced early Wednesday that an agreement on a four-day humanitarian pause was achieved between Israel and Hamas, with the starting time of the pause to be announced within 24 hours.