Germany’s foreign minister welcomed a truce deal between Israel and Hamas allowing at least 50 hostages to be freed as a “breakthrough”, and urged “vital aid” to be sent to Gaza, AFP reports.

“The announced release of the first major group of hostages is a breakthrough – even if nothing in the world can undo their suffering,” said Annalena Baerbock on X, formerly Twitter.

“The humanitarian pause must be used to bring vital aid to people in Gaza.