Hamas fighters released 24 hostages on Friday during the first day of the war's first truce, including Israeli women and children and Thai farm workers, after guns fell silent across the Gaza Strip for the first time in seven weeks. The hostages were transferred out of Gaza and handed over to Egyptian authorities at the Rafah border crossing, accompanied by eight staff members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a four-car convoy, the ICRC said.

Israel and Hamas have reached a consensus on a four-day ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza after lengthy negotiations involving Qatar, Egypt and the United States. This breakthrough is expected to facilitate the release of numerous hostages held by the Palestinian armed group, as well as Palestinians detained by Israel.

Additionally, the ceasefire is anticipated to open avenues for a substantial supply of aid to the areas within Gaza captured by Israeli military forces. The announcement was made official by Qatar and Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV channel while confirming that the truce is scheduled to go into effect at 10 AM local time on Thursday. However, the latest reports indicate that the hostage release by both sides could be delayed till Friday, due to further negotiations.

As part of the deal, 50 hostages will be released in a phased manner, in exchange for what Hamas has indicated would be the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners. Notably, both sides have agreed to prioritise the release of women and children, according to reports.

Despite the temporary cessation of hostilities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel will resume the war following the truce. Netanyahu highlighted the commitment to continuing military operations until all outlined goals are achieved. These objectives include the dismantling of the military capabilities of Hamas, as well as the unconditional return of all hostages.

Here’s a timeline of the key developments as the Israel-Hamas war enters the 50th day:

October 7, 2023:

The Israel Defence Forces reported that an estimated 2,200 rockets were fired toward southern and central Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. Mohammed Deif, the commander in chief of Hamas’ military arm, Al Qassam Brigades, released a video statement claiming responsibility for the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declares that Israel is “at war.” Subsequently, retaliatory air strikes against Gaza were initiated, with the aim of a total siege.

October 13, 2023: Israel instructs residents of Gaza City, where over 1 million of the enclave’s 2.3 million people reside, to evacuate and relocate southward. However, Gaza remains closed, and residents express concerns about having nowhere to go, especially after southern parts of the Gaza Strip come under bombardment.

October 17, 2023: A devastating explosion at al-Ahli al-Arabi Baptist Hospital in Gaza City results in significant casualties. The health ministry in Gaza reports 471 people killed, although Israel disputes this figure. A US intelligence report provides a lower estimate, suggesting the death toll to be “at the low end of the 100 to 300.”

October 18, 2023: US President Joe Biden visits the Middle East, expressing support for Israel and aiming to prevent a broader regional conflict. He attributes the hospital blast to an errant rocket fired by Gaza militants. Arab leaders, blaming Israel for the hospital deaths, cancel a summit with Biden in Jordan.

October 20, 2023: Hamas releases two American hostages, Judith Tai Raanan (59) and her daughter Natalie (17), both of whom were abducted from Nahal Oz kibbutz in southern Israel.

October 21, 2023: After diplomatic hurdles, aid trucks are permitted through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt into Gaza. However, the provided aid is only a fraction of what is urgently needed in Gaza, where essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and fuel are running low.

October 23, 2023: Hamas releases two more hostages, elderly Israelis Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, citing humanitarian and health reasons. Their husbands remain in captivity. Yocheved Lifshitz, upon her release, shakes hands with a militant and says “shalom” (peace).

October 26-28, 2023: Israeli forces conduct a substantial raid into Gaza, involving tanks and infantry targeting infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch posts. Israel’s chief military spokesman announces an expansion of ground operations, signalling the commencement of a ground offensive. Prime Minister Netanyahu declares the start of the war’s second phase, vowing to “destroy the enemy above ground and below ground.”

October 31, 2023: Israeli air strikes hit Gaza’s densely populated Jabalia refugee camp, claiming to have killed a Hamas commander. Palestinian health officials report around 50 deaths and 150 injuries.

November 1-13, 2023: Evacuations begin through the Rafah crossing for an estimated 7,000 foreign passport holders, dual nationals, dependents, and individuals requiring urgent medical treatment. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls Gaza a “graveyard for children” and demands a ceasefire. Palestinian health authorities state a death toll exceeding 10,000 from Israeli strikes.

November 13-15, 2023: Israeli tanks advance on Gaza City’s Al Shifa hospital. Israel claims the hospital conceals Hamas headquarters in tunnels and accuses Hamas of using patients as shields. Charges of war crimes are exchanged, with Palestinians accusing Israel of targeting civilians and Israel asserting that militant groups use civilians as human shields. Israeli special forces entered Al Shifa Hospital, alleging that they uncovered weapons and a tunnel, intensifying the war crimes allegations on both sides.

November 15-25, 2023: Israel's Cabinet approved a deal that would allow for the release of at least 50 hostages over the course of a four-day pause in hostilities, Netanyahu announces. As a part of this deal, 150 Palestinian prisoners will also be released by Israel. After the approval of the 4-day ceasefire in the prolonged war in Gaza, Hamas released 24 hostages while Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison in the first stage of a swap on Friday, November 24.

Gaza’s health ministry says that at least 13,300 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, including at least 5,600 children, in the Israeli bombardment so far.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)