UK welcomes Israel-Hamas deal for hostage release, humanitarian pause in Gaza

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron on Wednesday welcomed the newly reached agreement between Israel and Hamas for the coordinated release of hostages and a humanitarian pause in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement, Cameron said: "This agreement is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”

"I urge all parties to ensure the agreement is delivered in full. Of course, we want to see all hostages released immediately and families affected by the horrors of the October 7th terror attack reunited," he added.

The foreign secretary emphasized the UK's continued commitment to working with all partners in the region to secure the release of all hostages, restore security, and ultimately reach a long-term political solution that enables both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace.

"This pause provides an important opportunity to ensure much greater volumes of food, fuel, and other life-saving aid can reach Gaza on a sustained basis. We have already doubled our aid commitment to Palestinians this year and will work closely with the UN to ensure it reaches those who need it," Cameron added.

Israel and Hamas announced a truce-for-hostage 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.

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

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing more than 14,128 Palestinians, including 5,840 children and 3,920 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.