Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce so that 50 women and children under the age of 19 taken hostage could be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers in Israeli detention. | AP
The 50 hostages, among about 240 taken by Hamas in their Oct. 7 raid on Israel, are expected to be released in batches, probably about a dozen a day, during the four-day ceasefire. | AFP
Among the 50 women and children under the age of 19 being released by Hamas are three US citizens. | Reuters
Israel has provided a list of about 300 Palestinian prisoners who might be released. Most on the list of 300 are from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jerusalem. | AFP
The pause will be extended by a day for each additional batch of 10 hostages released, Israel said in a statement. | AFP
Hamas said Israel agreed not to attack or arrest anyone in Gaza, and people can move freely. | Reuetrs
The International Committee of the Red Cross will work in Gaza to facilitate the release of the hostages. | Reuters
The hostages are expected to be transported through Egypt, the only country apart from Israel to share a border with Gaza. | Reuters
During the truce, trucks loaded with aid and fuel are expected to cross into Gaza. | AFP
Qatar played a large mediation role. Hamas has a political office in Doha and the Qatari government has kept channels of communication open with Israel, even though unlike some other Gulf Arab states it has not normalised ties with Israel.