Will release 50 hostages within the next four days, says Hamas; ceasefire comes into effect in Gaza

TEL AVIV: A four-day ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Friday morning. The decision regarding the ceasefire was taken in a meeting mediated by Qatar. Both Israel and Hamas had agreed upon the ceasefire during the meeting.

In the first phase, 13 people held hostage by Hamas will be released. The ceasefire began today at 7 am local time. Meanwhile, Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza hours before the ceasefire began. It is said that the hostages will be exchanged by 4 pm this evening. Hamas said that it will release 50 hostages within the next four days.

Majed Al-Ansari, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, announced that the Palestinians imprisoned in Israel will also be released. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the proposed ceasefire agreement stated that the International Committee of the Red Cross should visit the centres where hostages are kept by Hamas.

The agreement stipulates that Israel and Hamas must free hostages in a 3:1 ratio. This means that Israel will release 150 hostages and Hamas will release 50. Women and children under 18 will be released first.