Anticipated Commencement of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, Envisaging Imminent Release of Hostages

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to begin at 7 a.m. local time (12 a.m. ET) on Friday. Civilian hostages held by militants are expected to be released in the coming hours as part of a breakthrough diplomatic deal following a day-long delay. Mediators in Qatar have said that an initial group of 13 women and children held in Gaza are expected to be freed later on Friday. Additionally, Israel has agreed to release 39 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal.

A temporary ceasefire, set to last for a minimum of four days, would validate the delicate diplomatic agreement announced on Wednesday as proceeding as intended. It would signify the first extended period of peace after almost seven weeks of conflict, as well as the anticipated release of a large number of hostages. Despite the initial surge of Israeli artillery fire and warnings of rocket attacks from Gaza, the truce between Israel and Hamas seemed to be coming into effect.

CNN reporters in the city of Sderot, southern Israel reported a halt in heavy weapons fire at around 7:18 a.m. local time (12:18 a.m. ET). They then heard what seemed to be small arms fire coming from Gaza about 20 minutes later, but it appears that artillery fire, airstrikes, and rocket attacks have ceased.

During the pause, there would be an opportunity to increase the much-needed humanitarian aid entering Gaza. The ongoing Israeli blockade, bombardment, and ground invasion have worsened the already dire humanitarian crisis. The United Nations announced on Thursday that a significant convoy of aid trucks at the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border was set to enter the embattled, Hamas-controlled enclave "immediately" once the pause began.

Israel has announced a declaration of war against Hamas after the militant group carried out a devastating terror attack on October 7, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people. This attack is the deadliest in Israel since its establishment in 1948. Additionally, the Israeli military reports that militants currently have over 200 individuals held captive in Gaza following mass abductions on the same day.

Qatar has announced that a total of 50 women and children hostages will be freed during a four-day humanitarian pause in the fighting. Additionally, Israel has agreed to release 150 Palestinian prisoners, including women and teenagers, during the same period, with the possibility of more releases in the following days.

The Israeli government was under increasing pressure from the families of the hostages to take action and provide answers, leading to the agreement. There is also a growing international demand for more humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

According to Hamas authorities in the Strip, the death toll in Gaza since October 7 has reached 14,854.

Israels defense minister said he expects the military operation against Hamas will continue "forcefully" after the truce.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Matthew Chance, Tamar Michaelis in Tel Aviv, Jeremy Diamond and Matthias Somm in Sderot and Sugam Pokharel in London contributed reporting.