Israel and Hamas Agree to Four-Day Ceasefire as Hostages Are Freed, Humanitarian Aid Is Provided

The Israeli government and Hamas leaders have agreed to temporarily pause fighting in order to free dozens of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas more than a month ago and allow for urgent humanitarian aid in Gaza.

The deal — brokered by Qatar, the United States and Egypt — will see a four-day ceasefire in the war. In that time, Hamas will free 50 women and children who were kidnapped and taken into Gaza during the militant group's Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. At least some Americans will be among the 50 released, according to the U.S. State Department .

Israel has also agreed to release some 150 Palestinians imprisoned in its jails — also women and children.

Qatar's foreign ministry announced the terms of the deal on Tuesday, saying the pause in fighting would "last for four days, subject to extension."

The statement added that "the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement," and that the ceasefire — which it described as a "humanitarian pause" — would allow for a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid to enter Gaza following the Israeli strikes.

Palestinians travel south amid Israeli strikes on Gaza.

Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty

In a statement, President Joe Biden applauded the deal, saying he and first lady Dr. Jill Biden "have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented."

"Today's deal is a testament to the tireless diplomacy and determination of many dedicated individuals across the United States Government to bring Americans home," Biden said.

The president added that he will be "staying in close contact" with involved parties "as we work to ensure this deal is carried through in its entirety. It is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented."

Footage released by Hamas on Oct. 30 showed three Israeli hostages in captivity in Gaza.

Dan Kitwood/Getty

The ceasefire comes several weeks into fighting, which began on Oct. 7 after Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a massive surprise attack in southern Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 civilians and soldiers and taking roughly 240 hostages.

In response, Israel declared war on Hamas — which controls the Palestinian territory of Gaza — and indicated that a long military campaign to defeat the militant group was on the horizon. That war has so far included a series of airstrikes as well as a ground invasion.

It took more than two weeks for humanitarian aid to reach those impacted in Gaza — who were cut off from water, food, medicine, fuel and other essentials — after the strikes began.

While the ceasefire will put a pause on those attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that the fighting will resume once the ceasefire expires.

“We are at war, and we will continue the war,” he said, the Associated Press reports. “We will continue until we achieve all our goals," which include taking back all hostages and eliminating Hamas.

The number of fatalities in Israel from the Hamas attacks is over 1,300, including 27 Americans, per NBC News , which cited U.S. officials. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result of Israel's response.