A temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas formally went into effect Friday.

The four-day pause in fighting started at 7 a.m. local time as the result of a deal that also calls for the release of 50 hostages taken by Hamas and 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

The first hostages are scheduled to be released at 4 p.m. local time. Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s foreign minister, said a list of hostages had been sent to Israeli and Hamas officials.

The cease-fire comes more than six weeks after estimated 240 people were captured and held hostage by Hamas after its deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel. The temporary pause in fighting had been scheduled to begin Thursday but was delayed by what al-Ansari said were logistical issues, including verification of the hostage release list exchanged by Israel and Hamas officials.

#Hamas #Israel #War