Peace returns to the Gaza Strip after almost 7 weeks filled with fierce fighting and destruction.
Israel's military and Hamas militants lay down their weapons at 7 a.m. on Friday to make way for the exchange of a total of 50 Israeli hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners. The details of this ceasefire were worked out by Qatar and Egypt who brokered the four-day peace.
"The first civilians will be released from Gaza around 16:00 on Friday. They will be 13, all women and children. Those hostages who are from the same families will be released together. Of course, each day will include a number of civilians as it has been agreed to release a total of 50 hostages within four days," said Majed Al-Ansari, spokesman for Qatar's foreign ministry.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that it has received a preliminary list of hostages to be released tomorrow.
Israeli officials are checking the details and contacting the affected families. Qatar hopes to negotiate a subsequent deal for the release of other hostages from Gaza by the fourth day of the ceasefire.
Both sides have said they will return to fighting once the ceasefire ends. There were even reports of shootings and armed clashes on Thursday.
Hamas announces that the number of people killed in Gaza is approaching 15,000, when over 6,100 of them are minors and another 4,000 are women.
The United Nations warns that an epidemic could break out in the Palestinian territory due to the lack of drinking water. (A2 Televizion)
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