Israel-Hamas war: Qatar says truce in Gaza to start today at 7 am, hostages to be freed

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is set to commence on Friday at 7 a.m., with the initial group of hostages slated for release at 4 p.m., as stated by Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry on Thursday.

Majed Al-Ansari, speaking in Doha, said that the lists of civilians to be released from Gaza had been mutually agreed upon.

He mentioned that both parties had shared lists of individuals to be released, and the initial batch of hostages, which includes 13 women and children held by Hamas, is set to be released on Friday afternoon. Al-Ansari also stated that increased assistance for Palestinians will commence as soon as possible.


The truce would also involve a comprehensive ceasefire in both the northern and southern parts of the strip. Qatar, leading mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas, anticipates the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails as part of the agreement.

The military branch of the Palestinian militant group also declared a four-day truce, during which both the al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas' armed wing) and Israeli forces would cease all military actions. As per Hamas, "hostile aircraft" would completely halt flights over the southern Gaza Strip, and flights over Gaza City and northern areas would cease for six hours daily, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The recent diplomatic breakthrough offered some respite for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who endured weeks of Israeli bombardment.

Additionally, it brought hope to families in Israel anxious about the fate of their loved ones taken captive during the attack by Hamas on October 7 that triggered the war.