UPDATE – Israel-Hamas deal on ‘hostage release’ is ‘breakthrough,’ Germany says

UPDATES WITH COMMENTS FROM CHANCELLOR SCHOLZ, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) – Germany on Wednesday welcomed the agreement between Israel and Hamas for a four-day humanitarian pause in fighting in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages.

“The announced release of a first larger group of hostages is a breakthrough – even if nothing in the world can undo their suffering. The humanitarian pause must be used to bring vital aid to the people in Gaza,” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on social media.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the agreements is “good news” and praised Israeli government’s decision to approve the deal with Hamas.

"The Israeli government has done the right thing,” Scholz said on in a brief statement on X.

“We thank all the governments involved and continue to support them diplomatically to ensure that this agreement is successfully implemented,” he added.

The Israeli government and the Palestinian group Hamas reached a deal early Wednesday for a four-day pause in fighting and the release of hostages.

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 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 14,100 Palestinians, including over 5,800 children and 3,900 women, according to health authorities in the blockaded 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 official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.