He described the release of 24 hostages from Gaza, including 13 Israeli nationals, as "a great relief," but added that "our hearts are with the hostages who are still being held in Gaza."
Notably, Hamas has agreed to release some 50 hostages, which include women and children over the four days of the truce with Israel. The released hostages are only a small group out of some 240 people held hostage by Hamas terrorists since October 7, when Hamas launched an attack on Israe
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it completed its operational assessment of the cease-fire lines. Friday morning the IDF forces destroyed the terrorist tunnel that was exposed in Shifa Hospital.
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.