Israel and Hamas Agree to Four-Day Cease-Fire, Offering Temporary Respite from Weeks of Violence

A four-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip began Friday morning, offering a temporary respite from weeks of violence and setting the stage for the exchange of dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The halt in fighting was part of a deal that calls for Hamas to free at least 50 hostages and Israel to release dozens of Palestinians from its prisons. Israel’s military sounded alarms in several villages near Gaza just minutes after the short-term truce began, but there was no immediate word of ongoing violence.

The cease-fire promised some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million people, who have endured weeks of Israeli bombardment, as well as families in Israel fearful for the fate of loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war.

The Israeli military did not make any official announcement at that time but said in a statement less than two hours later that it had “completed its operational objectives” and was withdrawing its forces. The statement did not provide details on the objectives or the withdrawal.

The cease-fire is expected to last until Tuesday morning, when the sides are expected to meet in Cairo for further negotiations. If the cease-fire holds, it would be the longest lull in fighting since the war began.