Israel reaches Qatar-brokered deal with Hamas to send medicines for hostages in exchange for aid to Gaza

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for the delivery of crucial medicines to hostages held captive by the militant group, in exchange for flow of aid to Gazans.

The Qatar-brokered deal is important given the families of the hostages have been calling for aid to their loved ones.This comes days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on January 12 said that the medicines will be delivered in the next few days.

The key medical supplies will leave Doha on Wednesday (Jan 17). They will reach Gaza via Egypt.

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The aid for hostages, many of whom are elderly and suffering from chronic illnesses, is approved by Hamas in exchange for medical and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian civilians stuck in the crossfire between Israel and thePalestinian group.

Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 16) said, “Medicine along with other humanitarian aid is to be delivered to civilians in the Gaza Strip, in the most affected and vulnerable areas, in exchange for delivering medication needed for Israeli captives in Gaza."

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The truce between Israel and Hamas in November 2023 resulted in the release of many hostages.

But over 100 of them out of a total of 240, are still held by Hamas.

The war, which recently completed 100 days, is likely to escalate, given the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea region between Iran-backed Houthi militia and US-led Western forces.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which earlier demanded visual proof of the aid reaching hostages, said that many "suffer from illnesses related to the harsh captivity conditions, which include mental and physical torture.”

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The casualties are reaching a new high with each passing day as the war drags on. The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza on Tuesday (Jan 16) said that a total of 24,285 Palestinians, including 10,600 children, have been killed since October 7.

The November deal was reached in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel.Israel earlier also allowed assistance to reach, however as per rights groups, a lot more is needed as the humanitarian toll on Palestinians is too much.

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'Unimpeded, safe access to aid needed'

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reportedly said, “Famine will make an already terrible situation catastrophic, because sick people are more likely to succumb to starvation, and starving people are more vulnerable to disease."

“We need unimpeded, safe access to deliver aid and a humanitarian cease-fire to prevent further death and suffering,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)