In the news today: Gaza truce begins a day later than planned; Ohio voters wait to see abortion protections take effect; consumers are under pressure this Black Friday. Also, sea turtle nests break records on U.S. beaches.
ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR
The cease-fire kicked off at 7 a.m. local time and will last at least four days. The deal came after weeks of intense indirect negotiations. Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt served as mediators. The halt in fighting promised some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel fearful for the fate of loved ones held captive by Hamas.
Recent developments
- Hamas pledged to free at least 50 of the about 240 hostages it and other militants took on Oct. 7. They are Israeli citizens, and some of them have a second nationality, according to a Hamas official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The group added that Israel would free 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel published a list of 300 prisoners eligible for release, mainly teenagers detained for rock-throwing and other minor offenses.
- The deal also lets more aid reach southern Gaza, where Palestinians are facing severe shortages. Trucks carrying supplies could be seen entering the terminal at the Rafah crossing from Egypt. The supplies were then transferred to other trucks that would carry them into Gaza. Qatar said the aid will include fuel but gave no details on quantities.
- The agreement has raised hopes of eventually winding down the war. But Israel has pushed back against such speculation, saying it is determined to resume its bombardment once the truce ends. Over 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, health officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza say. Vast swaths of the coastal enclave have been destroyed and violence has also surged in the occupied West Bank. Some 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.
