Israel and Hamas early Wednesday agreed to a hostage release deal that will involve a four-day pause in fighting — the first cessation in Israel’s six-week air and ground assault on the Gaza Strip, after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. At least 50 women and children among the estimated 240 people held hostage in Gaza will be released over that period, the Israeli government said in a statement. Hamas said on Telegram that the deal will involve the release of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons, and “intensifying the entry of trucks for humanitarian, relief, medical and fuel aid into all areas of the Gaza Strip.” Qatar, which has been mediating the talks, confirmed the deal for a “humanitarian pause,” adding that the starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours.
Niha Masih, Michael Birnbaum, Frances Vinall, Annabelle Timsit, Jennifer Hassan, Sarah Dadouch
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