Israel, Hamas agree to four-day pause of hostilities in Gaza

Israel's government and Hamas have agreed to a four-day pause to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian children (under the age of 19) and women from Israeli prisons.

The truce deal will also allow hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid to enter Gaza.

Reports suggest the exchange will take place in stages, at a rate of 10 hostages and 30 Palestinian prisoners per day, with the rest being released on the last day of the truce.

The deal, brokered following mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, also stipulates stopping Israeli air traffic for four days in the south of the Gaza Strip and for six hours a day in the north.

Ahead of the announcement of the deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's broader mission had not changed. "We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals. To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel," he said in a recorded message at the start of the government meeting.