Qatar says truce in Gaza to start on Friday

A truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza will start on Friday at 7:00 am (0500 GMT), with the first batch of hostages to be released at 4:00 pm (1400 GMT), a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Majed Al-Ansari told reporters in Doha the lists of all civilians that would be released from Gaza had been agreed.

Qatar, which has been leading mediation efforts, also expects Palestinians to be released from Israeli jails as part of the deal.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day truce so that 50 women and children under the age of 19 taken hostage could be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers in Israeli detention.

Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari: The list of hostages that will be released has been handed to the Israeli Intelligence Services. #MOFAQatar

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) November 23, 2023

Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs @majedalansari: Extensive meetings and calls took place in Doha to discuss the implantation plan of the ceasefire with the participation of our Egyptian counterparts and both parties.#MOFAQatar

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) November 23, 2023