Hamas has said the truce agreement, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, will allow hundreds of humanitarian, medical and fuel aid trucks to enter Gaza, Reuters reports.

All Israeli air activity in south Gaza will stop for four days, while air traffic in the north, the initial focus of Israel’s ground assault, will stop from 10am to 4pm local time (8am to 2pm GMT), Hamas said.

“As we announce the striking of a truce agreement, we affirm that our fingers remain on the trigger, and our victorious fighters will remain on the lookout to defend our people and defeat the occupation,” Hamas said.

A Qatari mediator said the country hoped the deal would lead to a permanent ceasefire. Israel, in a separate statement confirming the deal, said the pause in fighting would be extended for another day for every additional 10 hostages released. Hamas did not mention any such arrangement.

 An Israeli military plane flies over the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, in southern Israel on Nov 22, 2023. — Reuters
An Israeli military plane flies over the Israeli side of the border with Gaza, in southern Israel on Nov 22, 2023. — Reuters

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