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France 24
France 24
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Mark OWEN

Israeli hostage deal: Can freeing captives and a truce lead to lasting peace?

THE DEBATE © FRANCE 24

We examine the deal that will bring home at least 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Those who are set to be released are women and children. The agreement includes a four-day truce and humanitarian aid for besieged Gaza residents after weeks of all-out war.

Israel's military says there are 236 hostages in captivity, but some reports still cite 250 as the number held. They were all snatched during the Hamas cross-border raids on October 7. At the same time, horrific atrocities were committed on what were mostly Israeli civilians.

The human cost of the Israel-Hamas war has already seen over 14,000 Palestinian civilians killed. Among that number are some 6,000 children. These figures come from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

They also run the hospitals that have been targeted by Israel's military, who say Hamas operatives and control centres are based underneath the hospitals in tunnels.

Produced by Juliette Laurain, Rebecca Gnignati and Louise Guibert.

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