The Israeli government reached an agreement with Hamas on Wednesday to a four-day pause in hostilities to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
Officials from Qatar, which has been mediating secret negotiations, as well as the U.S., Israel and Hamas have for days been saying a deal was imminent.
Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages, taken when its fighters surged into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.
It is the first time since the breakout of fighting over a month ago, which has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, that a breakthrough appears likely.
