Israel and Hamas agree to four-day pause in fighting; 50 hostages to go free

Israeli soldiers show the media an underground tunnel found underneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza City (Victor R Calvano/AP)

Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day ceasefire in the war in Gaza, a diplomatic breakthrough that will free dozens of hostages held by militants as well as Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and bring a large influx of aid to the besieged territory.

The truce announced on Wednesday raised hopes of eventually winding down the war, which was triggered by Hamas’ October 7 rampage into Israel.