Israel-Hamas Truce Holds Ahead of Expected Hostage Release
- Fighting in the Gaza Strip is meant to cease for four days
- Hamas is set to free 50 of 240 people it took as hostages
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The first truce since the war between Israel and Hamas erupted last month went into effect on Friday morning.
The deal came after weeks of complex and delicate talks brokered by Qatar, the US and Egypt. The halt in fighting in Gaza is intended to last for four days. Hamas, an Iran-backed militant group, is meant to return 50 of the almost 240 hostages it captured from Israel, while the Israelis will release 150 jailed Palestinians and allow more aid into Gaza.