Israel and Hamas Ensure to Remain Alert Despite Ceasefire, Qatar: No Attacks, Military Movements or Expansion

JAKARTA - Qatar's chief negotiator as mediator in the Israel-Hamas negotiations reminded both parties that there would be no attacks or expansion during the ceasefire, when both parties stated that they would remain on alert during the cessation of shooting.

Israeli authorities and the Hamas militant group agreed to a four-day ceasefire in Gaza, followed by an exchange of 50 held hostages for 150 jailed Palestinians, as well as the influx of humanitarian aid to the enclave.

Negotiations were carried out for days between Hamas, Israel, the United States and Qatar as mediators. It is believed that around 240 hostages are being held by Hamas.

Nevertheless, both Israel and Hamas said they remained on alert and ready to anticipate any changes, not changing their mission, even though there was a ceasefire.

"We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals. To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that there are no entities in Gaza that can threaten Israel," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reported by Reuters, November 22.

Likewise, Hamas said it remains alert and ready to take action despite the ceasefire.

"As we announced the termination of the ceasefire agreement, we affirmed that we remain ready to take action, and that our victorious fighters will remain vigilant to defend our people and defeat the occupation," the group said in its statement.

Meanwhile, Qatar's chief negotiator in the ceasefire talks, Foreign Minister Mohammed Al-Khulaifi told Reuters the International Committee of the Red Cross would work in Gaza to facilitate the release of the hostages.

"A ceasefire means there will be no attacks of any kind. No military movements, no expansion, nothing," he said.

Al-Khulaifi added that Qatar hopes the deal "will be the seed for a bigger agreement and a permanent ceasefire. And that is our intention."

It is understood the 50 women and children will be released in stages over four days, during which there will be a lull in the fighting. For every additional 10 hostages released, the pause will be extended by another day.

The plan is that the release of the hostages will begin on Thursday. So far, Hamas has released four hostages, namely US citizen Judith Raanan (59) and her daughter Natalie Raanan (17) on October 20, for "humanitarian reasons," as well as two elderly Israeli women, Nurit Cooper (79) and Yocheved Lifshitz (85) on October 23.