Live updates | Israel-Hamas truce begins with a cease-fire ahead of hostage and prisoner releases

A four-day cease-fire has begun in the Israel-Hamas war, offering some relief for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who endured weeks of Israeli bombardment. This truce is part of a diplomatic agreement facilitated with the assistance of Qatar.

The cease-fire includes the release of dozens of hostages held by militants and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Hamas pledged to free at least 50 hostages taken during their Oct. 7 attack on Israel, while Israel will release three Palestinian prisoners for each released hostage. The releases will occur over the next four days.

The truce deal was reached through weeks of intense indirect negotiations involving Qatar, the United States, and Egypt as mediators. It marks the first significant break in fighting since the conflict began seven weeks ago.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza, while about 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Israeli military has warned displaced Palestinians not to return to their homes in the northern half of Gaza, as the war has not officially ended yet, and the area remains a focus of Israel’s ground offensive. Movement on Gaza’s main highway is restricted to one direction, from north to south, as a safety measure.

Qatar played a significant role in helping to broker the cease-fire and facilitate negotiations between the parties involved. They also committed to providing aid to Gaza as soon as possible in conjunction with the cease-fire.