Türkiye welcomes Israel-Hamas deal on 4-day humanitarian pause in Gaza, release of hostages

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) – Türkiye welcomed the deal between Israel and Hamas on a four-day humanitarian pause in Gaza and the release of hostages, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the ministry called the Israel-Hamas hostage swap deal a "positive development to prevent more bloodshed."

Türkiye expects "full compliance" with the deal, which includes the release of some hostages, and detainees and increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, it added.

"We hope that the humanitarian pause will help permanently end the current conflict as soon as possible and initiate a process towards a just and lasting peace based on a two-state solution," the statement read.

"We also appreciate Qatar’s efforts to reach this agreement."

The Israeli government and the Palestinian group Hamas agreed to a hostage swap early Wednesday.

Under the 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.

Israel estimates that at least 239 Israelis are being held by Hamas following its cross-border attack on Oct. 7.