A ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza will begin on Friday, according to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman. The pause in hostilities will start at 7:00 am and the first group of civilian hostages will be handed over at approximately 4:00 pm on the same day. Initially, thirteen people, all women and children from the same families, will be freed. The spokesperson added that each day, 50 civilians will be released for a total of four days. This agreement comes after Israel and Hamas reached a deal, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, to free at least 50 hostages and numerous Palestinian prisoners during a four-day truce. The deal will be implemented gradually and may be extended to provide aid to Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. The agreement was reached following weeks of conflict in the Gaza Strip, which started when Hamas militants breached the militarized Gaza border on October 7. Israeli officials reported that approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and around 240 individuals were taken hostage.
Qatar Announces Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release to Commence on Friday
