Israel-Hamas 4-day truce begins: How things are likely to unfold during ceasefire

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 in the first hours of the four-day truce. (Image: AFP)

All is likely to be quiet on the western front, at least for four days to begin with, thanks to a truce between Israel and Hamas starting at 7am local time on November 24.

The four-day truce comes as the first breakthrough in a bloody war that has claimed thousands of lives over the last 48 days. The warring sides have agreed to release hostages in exchange for prisoners during the ceasefire.

An Al Jazeera correspondent, Hani Mahmoud, reporting from southern Gaza's Khan Younis, confirmed the commencement of the truce, signalling an end to hostilities on Friday morning. But the morning dawned on the Middle East after a night of intense air strikes from Israel.

“We are witnessing a relative calm, that is gradually becoming more and more visible as there is a complete stop of fighter jets flying over the Gaza Strip,” Mahmoud said shortly after the truce commenced.

The truce comes as a huge relief to over 2 million people living on the Gaza Strip. Their lives were overthrown in the weeks of ceaseless bombing by Israel in retaliation to the biggest onslaught on Jews since Holocaust. The Palestine militant outfit launched the first attack on October 7, rekindling the age-old dispute between the two sides.

Safe passage to aid: A substantial number of aid trucks is expected to reach Gaza. On November 24, nearly 200 aid trucks, including 140,000 liters of fuel and a minimum of four trucks carrying gas, are expected to enter Gaza. The quantity of fuel and gas is highly insufficient to meet the what Gaza Strip needs.

Freedom, one step at a time: During the course of the next four days, nearly 50 hostages will be freed, leaving approximately 190 still held by the Hamas. Concurrently, the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners is also expected from the Israeli side. It has been learnt from Qatari authorities that an initial group of 13 hostages will comprise women and children from the same families.

Israeli trauma specialists, medics, and specially trained soldiers are prepared to receive them, as per an AFP report. The soldiers will assure the hostages of their safety, in line with protocols, as well as carry along the children's favourite food items, the report noted.

On the other hand, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails will also be released, as confirmed by the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari, who also added that a list of approved names is in place.

The agreement stipulates a "complete ceasefire, with no air or ground attacks" and the requirement for clear skies without drones to ensure the safe release of hostages, Ansari explained.

Israel has released a list featuring 300 Palestinians eligible for release if the truce extends beyond the initial four days. This list includes 33 women, 267 children, and youths under 19, along with 49 Hamas members.

Qatar to monitor from Doha: In Doha, Qatar has reportedly set up an operations room to receive real-time information from Gaza as the four-day truce unfolds. The Qatari authorities will maintain direct communication channels with both the Israeli military and the Hamas. The purpose behind these direct links is to promptly address any violations, ensuring that the truce can be preserved and the ongoing process sustained over the next four days, as per an Al Jazeera report.