All quiet on western front: 4-day ceasefire sees the first light of truce in Israel-Hamas war
All is likely to be quiet on the western front, at least for four days to begin with, thanks to the truce between Israel and Hamas which commenced on November 24, as the first breakthrough in a bloody war that has claimed thousands of lives over the last 48 days.
A young child gazes out of a car window as Palestinians, who sought refuge in temporary shelters, return to their homes in eastern Khan Yunis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. This event occurred during the first hours of a four-day truce in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants on November 24. The truce, the first substantial break in the seven-week-long war, involves the release of hostages in exchange for prisoners and has the potential to alleviate the toll of the conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives. (Image: AFP)
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Palestinians, who sought refuge in temporary shelters, are returning to their residences in eastern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip as the four-day truce begun in the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants. (Image: AFP)
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During the initial hours of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas militants on November 24, individuals gathered in front of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing. It is reported that during this ceasefire, hostages taken by Hamas will cross into Egypt and subsequently be flown to Israel. This temporary cessation of hostilities brings immense relief to the over 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip. (Image: AFP)
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Residents of eastern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, who sought refuge in temporary shelters, are returning to their homes as the four-day truce commences. A significant influx of aid trucks is anticipated to reach Gaza, with nearly 200 trucks, including 140,000 liters of fuel and at least four carrying gas, expected to enter on November 24. However, the amount of fuel and gas falls far short of meeting the essential needs of the Gaza Strip. (Image: AFP)
Over the next four days, approximately 50 hostages are set to be released, while around 190 individuals will remain in captivity under Hamas. Simultaneously, there is an anticipated release of 150 Palestinian prisoners by the Israeli authorities. According to information from Qatari officials, the initial group of 13 hostages to be freed includes women and children from the same families. (Image: AFP)
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A lady holds her cat while Palestinians, who sought shelter in temporary accommodations, head back to their residences in eastern Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip at the onset of a four-day ceasefire. This pause marks a pivotal moment in a violent conflict that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives over the past 48 days. Both opposing factions have reached an agreement to free hostages in return for prisoners during this temporary cessation of hostilities. (Image: AFP)
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The ceasefire brings significant relief to more than 2 million residents of the Gaza Strip, whose lives were disrupted during weeks of relentless bombing by Israel in response to the most substantial attack on Jews since the Holocaust. (Image: AFP)
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After an Israeli strike in Rafah, a young girl carrying a bird cage reacts as people evacuate in the southern Gaza Strip, just hours before the Israel-Hamas truce. Israel has issued a list of 300 Palestinians who could be released if the truce extends beyond the initial four days. This roster comprises 33 women, 267 children and youths under 19, and 49 Hamas members. (Image: AFP)
A young girl, holding a birdcage, responds to the exodus of people in the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, just one day before the official start of the ceasefire. Hani Mahmoud, a correspondent for Al Jazeera reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, verified the initiation of the truce, indicating a halt to hostilities on Friday morning. However, the morning unfolded over the Middle East following a night marked by intense Israeli airstrikes. (Image: AFP)