The temporary cease-fire that was negotiated between Israel and Hamas in Gaza took effect early Friday morning, setting the stage for an expected hostage release-prisoner swap later in the day.
The four-day truce will bring a halt in fighting to allow promised humanitarian relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, who have endured weeks of violence that was triggered when Hamas-led forces carried out the worst terror attack in Israel’s 75-year history, in which they took hundreds of hostages back across the border on Oct. 7.
The cease-fire kicked off at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT). During this period, Hamas has pledged to free at least 50 of the about 240 hostages it and other militants took on Oct. 7. Hamas said Israel would free 150 Palestinian prisoners, in a 3 prisoners-to-1 hostage ratio.
The truce-for-hostages deal will begin with both sides releasing women and children. Israel said the truce would be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed.
ISRAEL, HAMAS AGREE TO TEMPORARY CEASE-FIRE, HOSTAGE RELEASE DEAL INCLUDING FREEING 3 AMERICANS
Palestinians inspect the rubble of destroyed building of Muharib family killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Nusseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)
The deal was reached after weeks of intense negotiations, led by Qatar, the United States and Egypt serving as mediators. It is the first significant break in fighting since Israel declared war on Hamas seven weeks ago. Previous cease-fires have been interrupted before their intended deadline.
A first group of 13 women and children held by Hamas will be freed Friday afternoon, according to Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.
Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Israel’s Justice Ministry published a list of 300 prisoners eligible to be released, mostly teenagers detained over the past year. Hamas is expected to release a similar list of Israel hostages on Friday.
As the fighting is suspended, supplies will be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza “as soon as possible,” al-Ansari said Thursday.
LIVE UPDATES: HOSTAGE RELEASE DELAYED UNTIL AT LEAST FRIDAY, ISRAEL-HAMAS NEGOTIATIONS ONGOING
Israeli soldiers are seen in Balata, a Palestinian refugee camp in Nablus, West Bank, on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
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