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. At least 50 women and children of the estimated 240 people held hostage in Gaza will be released over that period, the Israeli government said in a statement. The pause will be extended an extra day for the release of every 10 additional hostages, Israel said, adding that its forces will resume the war afterward. Qatar confirmed the deal for a “humanitarian pause” and said it will involve the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons. It added that the starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and that the deal will allow for the entry of aid trucks, including fuel intended for humanitarian needs.
