4-day truce begins in Israel-Hamas war, sets stage for release of dozens of Gaza-held hostages

ABC News:

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — A four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war took effect early Friday, setting the stage for the exchange of dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza in return for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The halt in fighting promised some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel fearful for the fate of loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war.

The cease-fire kicked off at 7 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) and is to last at least four days. During this period, Gaza’s ruling Hamas group pledged to free at least 50 of the about 240 hostages it and other militants took on Oct. 7. Hamas said Israel would free 150 Palestinian prisoners. The deal also provides for more aid to reach southern Gaza, where Palestinians are facing severe shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity.

Not long after the cease-fire took effect, trucks carrying fuel and other supplies could be seen entering the terminal at the Rafah crossing from Egypt, where they were transferred to other trucks that would carry them into Gaza.

Not long after the cease-fire took effect, trucks carrying fuel and other supplies could be seen entering the terminal at the Rafah crossing from Egypt, as the truce allows an increase in the trickle of aid that has reached civilians facing severe shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity.