Israel-Hamas War Highlights: Hamas releases 13 Israelis, 4 foreigners after hours-long snag

A man holds an Israeli flag as people await news of hostages expected to be released by Hamas, amid a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel-Hamas war Highlights: Saturday is the second day of a 96-hour ceasefire that marks the first pause in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. Notably, the two sides have been warring since October 7, when Hamas carried out a series of attacks in Israeli territory, and abducted more than 200 Israeli citizens and foreigners.

On the first day of the truce, Hamas freed 24 hostages (13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Filipino), while Israel, in return, released 39 Palestinian prisoners. Both sides are expected to release more people in the coming days.

The peace agreement was brokered by Qatar.

More than 1300 Israelis have lost their lives as a result of the conflict, while the toll on the Palestinian side is higher, with nearly 15,000 fatalities. In response to the Hamas attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been targeting the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, which is home to 2.3 million people, and is governed by the terrorist group.