Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian-controlled territory of the Gaza Strip, announced on November 22 that they had agreed to release at least 50 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a four-day “truce” in Gaza.

At least 50 hostages, including women and children, including foreign nationals, would be released in exchange for a “lull” in military operations in Gaza, an Israeli government spokesman told AFP.

For every 10 additional people released, the truce will be extended by one day.

Hamas also issued a statement welcoming the “humanitarian truce,” and said 150 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons would also be released.

Under the agreement, 300 truckloads of food and medical supplies will be sent to Gaza, according to sources with connections to Hamas and the militant group Islamic Jihad.

Ahead of a cabinet vote on the proposed agreement, Prime Minister Netanyahu was under pressure from within his ruling party, who argued that implementing the agreement would benefit the Palestinian side. At the cabinet meeting that had been ongoing since the previous day, Netanyahu persuaded his cabinet that it was a “difficult decision, but the right one,” and secured approval. (c)AFP/Adel Zaanoun