Jerusalem– A four-day cease fire in the Israel-Gaza war began Friday morning in Gaza as part of an agreement that Qatar helped broker. The deal also includes the release of dozens of hostages held by militants and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, which was to take place later Friday.
The diplomatic breakthrough promised some relief for the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel who fear for their loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ October 7 attack that triggered the war.
More than 14,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza after a days long pause in its casualty report, which it attributed to the health system’s collapse in northern Gaza making it impossible to provide a detailed count.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will press ahead with the war after a cease-fire expires. Some 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.
Qatar says the Gaza cease-fire will begin Friday morning, with aid to follow “as soon as possible.”
