November 24, 2023

*) Gaza truce starts after intense Israeli bombing, prisoner swap to follow A four-day truce in Israel’s war on Gaza has started with hostages to be released in exchange for prisoners. It is the first major reprieve in seven weeks of conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. After prolonged negotiations, deliberations and delay, the pause was due to begin at 7:00 am (0500 GMT), silencing guns that have raged since Hamas’s attack on Israeli towns near Gaza on October 7. The start of the truce is set to be followed by the release of the first group of 13 hostages being held in Gaza, and - an undefined number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, according to Qatari peace brokers. *) Egypt says 130,000 litres of diesel to be delivered daily to Gaza Egypt has said that 130,000 litres of diesel and four trucks of gas will be delivered daily to Gaza with a four-day truce. Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS), also said in a statement that 200 trucks of aid would enter Gaza daily. *) Israeli military confirms Al Shifa Hospital chief held for questioning The Israeli military has confirmed that the director of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza had been held for questioning over allegations that the facility had been used as a command and control centre for Hamas. “In the hospital, under his management, there was extensive Hamas terrorist activity,” the Israeli ministry said in a statement, but offered no evidence. The Israeli army, which raided the hospital last week, has alleged that Hamas fighters used a tunnel complex beneath the facility in Gaza City to stage attacks. *) ECOWAS parliament seeks to lift sanctions on Niger The parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appeals to the bloc’s heads of state to lift the sanction imposed on Niger after the July 26 military coup. It said the people of Niger desire relief from economic hardship and humanitarian challenges, triggered by a ban on trade relations - and a freezing of the country’s accounts in