Israel, Hamas agree to 4-day truce, hostage deal

The Israeli government and Hamas announced separately on Tuesday they have agreed to a Qatar-mediated deal in which the militant group will free dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for a four-day pause in fighting in Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinians held in prisons in Israel.

The deal, once implemented, will be the biggest diplomatic breakthrough and the first major pause in fighting since the war began.

Hamas is expected to free at least 50 Israeli women and children held in Gaza, while Israel is expected to release about 150 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and children over the four-day pause.

Israel will allow around 300 aid trucks per day to enter Gaza from Egypt. More fuel will also be allowed in during the pause in fighting, according to an Israeli official, published on Axios.

Hamas could release dozens more women, children and elderly people. The Israeli government said it would extend the pause for every additional 10 hostages released.

The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension, said Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.