The four-day cease-fire between Israel and the militant group Hamas will commence today, but experts say the short pause in fighting will resume with intensity for at least two months, The Times of Israel has reported.
The death toll in Gaza from the Israeli offensive since October 7 has risen to 14,854, with 5,850 children among the casualties, CNN reported, citing Hamas authorities in the Strip.
The hostage-and-truce agreement, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, follows the abduction of 240 people by Hamas and other terror groups on October 7 during a violent rampage in southern Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
A four-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas will begin on Friday morning, with civilian hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to be freed later in the afternoon, Qatar announced on Thursday, according to CNN.
Hundreds of police officers in Germany have searched 15 properties, which have been linked to supporters and sympathisers of Hamas, after a recent ban of the Palestinian militant group in the country, reported Euronews.
The Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund has named the Gaza Strip as the most dangerous place" in the world to be a child, reports CNN.
The Israel Defense Forces has expressed confidence in its ability to preserve its operational achievements in the northern Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, during a truce with Hamas, designed to facilitate a hostage release deal.
The USS Thomas Hudner, a US Navy destroyer, shot down multiple attack drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, reported Al Jazeera citing the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The IDF said that over 13,000 shells were fired at Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets, hundreds of terrorists were eliminated, and anti-tank squads were thwarted on their way to fire on Israeli forces in Gaza over the past month by the 454th Brigade.
The letter was signed by 25 state lawmakers, including state Democrat Representative Abraham Aiyash, who is the majority leader of Michigan state's House chamber.
Israeli military forces continued striking Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning ahead of an imminent ceasefire. Although Israel agreed to a temporary ceasefire and partial prisoner exchange on Wednesday morning, details are still being finalized.