Israel and Hamas exchange hostages and prisoners as Gaza truce begins

Hamas released 24 hostages – 13 Israelis, 10 Thais and one Filipino – on the first day of the war's first truce as part of a four-day ceasefire. In return for their release, 39 Palestinians – 24 women and 15 children – were also freed from Israeli jails.

The exchange was the first stage of a swap agreed as part of a four-day ceasefire in the war. Israel has said the truce could last beyond the initial four days as long as Hamas frees at least 10 hostages per day. The truce began following weeks of negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.