Truce deal raises hopes hostages will be freed in Gaza

Both sides will release women and children first, and the supply of humanitarian aid flowing into the besieged territory will be ramped up

Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip (AP)

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement over a four-day halt to the devastating war in Gaza.

The truce will be accompanied by the release of dozens of hostages held by the militant group in return for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, mediators said.