Israel-Hamas conflict: Four-day truce begins

The ceasefire is expected to remain effective for four days.

The temporary ceasefire agreement also includes the release of 50 women and children, some of the around 240 people taken hostage by Hamas during their attacks on 7 October, reports BBC.

The first group of 13 hostages are expected to be released on Friday (November 24, 2023).

The pause is expected to give relief to  2.2 million Palestinians in the Gaza strip.

Meanwhile,  some 130,000 liters of diesel fuel and four trucks of gas will enter Gaza from Egypt daily starting on Friday (November 24, 2023), reported CNN quoting Egyptian officials.

“Two hundred trucks, loaded with food, medicine and water, will enter daily for the first time since the start of the Israeli war on the strip,” Diaa Rashwan, the chairman of Egypt’s State Information Service, said in a statement as quoted by CNN.

Thailand Foreign Ministry welcomed the four-day truce reached by the Israel and Hamas and said in a statement: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand welcomes the latest agreement on the additional release of hostages beginning today, mainly women and children, taken in the violence in Israel and Gaza."

"The Ministry recognizes this latest achievement as an important breakthrough after many weeks of intense negotiations. The Ministry also welcomes the agreed humanitarian pause, as called for by the United Nations Security Council, to ensure humanitarian support reaches those in need," the statement said.

"The Ministry highly commends the efforts of the Governments of Qatar, Israel, the United States, Egypt, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and all of those involved in securing this latest additional release of hostages, and sends its sincerest regards to them and their families," the statement said.