Pause in Israel-Hamas fighting begins, paving way for hostage release
A four-day truce between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas officially began on Friday, paving the way for both sides to release hostages and prisoners over the next few days.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the military had completed operations and preparations for a tactical pause and to receive the 50 hostages who will be released by Hamas over the coming days.
"In coordination with government ministries and security authorities, we have prepared to quickly receive the released hostages and give them all the necessary support," the IDF wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Israel and Hamas will exchange the hostages at several locations and Israeli officials said they are prepared to quickly transfer them to hospitals in Israel, where their family members will meet them. Emergency medical equipment is also set up at the exchange sites for immediate aid if needed.
The deal, brokered this week between Israel, Hamas, Qatar and the U.S., will also facilitate more humanitarian aid into besieged Gaza.
According to Israeli authorities, four tankers carrying fuel entered Gaza on Friday, crossing from Egypt into southern Gaza.
The fuel, which is critical to keep the power on in Gaza hospitals and other key facilities, was delivered to United Nations humanitarian groups, who will oversee the implementation of the aid to ensure it does not end up in Hamas hands.
The Palestinian Health Ministry, based in Ramallah, said on Facebook that humanitarian aid must flow to hospitals and include medical aid and fuel. They also asked for the ability to evacuate wounded people, but it's not clear if Israel would assist with the effort.
Palestinian health officials have said more than 13,000 people in Gaza have died since the war began in early October.
After the exchange of hostages and the end of the four-day truce, fighting is expected to resume as Israel has vowed to completely destroy Hamas and take the fight further south, where Palestinians have fled the fighting.
Hamas holds some 240 hostages. As part of the deal to get 50 of the hostages back, Israel will be releasing about 150 Palestinian prisoners.