Hamas to Release 50 Hostages; Israel to Pause Fighting for Four Days

GAZA/TEL AVIV, Israel - The first hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza are expected to be released Thursday, when Israel is due to begin a four-day pause in its attacks on Gaza under an agreement announced by the warring parties.

Qatar, which helped broker the deal along with the United States and Egypt, said Hamas, in stages, would release 50 women and children in the coming days, while Israel is expected to