A four-day truce between Hamas and Israel officially came into effect on Friday.
In total, 50 hostages are set to be released © Mena Today
A four-day truce between Hamas and Israel, aimed at facilitating the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, officially came into effect on Friday at 07:00 local time (05:00 GMT).
This "humanitarian pause," negotiated with the involvement of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, comes as the war between Israel and Hamas enters its 49th day.
The first releases of hostages (13 women and children) are expected around 14:00 GMT.
In total, 50 hostages are set to be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners during this ceasefire.
Israel said it carried out a strike in Syria against extremists who attacked members of the Druze community, following through on a promise to protect the minority group as sectarian violence spread near Damascus on Wednesday.
Wildfires due to extreme heat and winds broke out near Jerusalem on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of communities and the closure of a main highway, as the country was observing Memorial Day and many Israelis visited gravesites.
France's foreign ministry accused Israel's embassy of "unacceptable" behaviour on Tuesday after it banned two French groups, including elected officials, from visiting Israel and alleged the groups were linked to a terrorist organisation.
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