Israel and Hamas announced a deal allowing at least 50 hostages and scores of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, while offering besieged Gaza residents a four-day truce after weeks of all-out war.

After weeks of Qatar-brokered negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved the truce accord after a near-all-night meeting, in which he told ministers this was a "difficult decision but it's a right decision."

The cabinet's sign-off was one of the last stumbling blocks after what one U.S. official described as five "extremely excruciating" weeks of talks. 

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Hamas fighters carried out a cross-border attack on October 7, the worst in Israel's history, that left around 1,200 people dead, most of them civilians, according to the Israeli government. They also took an estimated 240 Israelis and foreigners hostage, among them elderly people and young children.

Israel responded by launching a major bombing campaign and ground offensive in Gaza, which, according to the Hamas government in the territory, has killed 14,100 people, including 5,600 children.

What have Israel and Hamas agreed to?

Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed the deal.

In this first major diplomatic breakthrough in the war, Palestinian group Hamas will release during a four-day truce 50 women and children kidnapped during their October 7 raids.

Israel expects the first hostages to be released on November 23.

"The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension," the ministry said.

Israel said that to facilitate the hostage release it would initiate a four-day "pause" in its six-week-old air, land and sea assault of Gaza, while it stressed that the agreement did not spell the end of the war.

For every 10 additional hostages released, there would be an extra day's "pause," the Israeli government said.

As part of the deal, Israel has agreed to release 150 Palestinian women and children from its prisons. It has not been confirmed whether Israel will release additional Palestinian prisoners if the truce is extended.

Israel released the names of 300 Palestinian prisoners being considered for release, without specifying who might be freed in the first phase. 

Qatar said the deal would facilitate an increase in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

How has the deal been agreed?

The weeks-long negotiations have been mediated by Qatar, and have involved the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Israel's overseas spy agency Mossad, Egyptian intelligence, and Hamas leaders.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political office for more than 10 years but is also home to the largest U.S. military base in the region.

"Qatar has an advantage that the other candidates for negotiation do not have," said Hasni Abidi, director of the Geneva-based Center for Studies and Research on the Arab World and the Mediterranean. 

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told journalists the breakthrough ceasefire deal had underlined the country's singular diplomatic position.

"This is what we can do that nobody else can do and this is us using all of our abilities," he said.

A senior U.S. official said three Americans, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, were among the 50 earmarked for staggered release from Thursday.

What has been the reaction to the deal?

China welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and hopes it will help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.

"Since the escalation of the current round of Palestine-Israel conflict, China has consistently called for a ceasefire and made unremitting efforts to calm down the situation, protect civilians and carry out humanitarian assistance," she said.

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan welcomed the agreement saying it should be extended and become a first step toward a full cessation of hostilities, leading to a resumption of talks for a two-state solution.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was "extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls... will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented."

A U.S official said there was also hope that the deal would also lead to a "full pause" in fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border with Hezbollah.

The deal was greeted by countries including the UK, Egypt, France and Germany, whose Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hailed the "breakthrough" and said "the humanitarian pause must be used to bring vital aid to people in Gaza."

How is the deal being received in Israel?

Ahead of the Israeli cabinet vote, Netanyahu had faced criticism from within his right-wing coalition, some of whom thought the deal gave too much to the Palestinian group Hamas.

Hardline Minister for National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir signaled he would vote against the agreement, saying it should include the release of Israeli soldiers also taken by Hamas.

Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said before the crunch meeting that he had won assurances that the deal would not spell the end of the war.

"Immediately after we have exhausted this phase," he said, security operations would "continue in full force."

The government underscored in a statement that Israel "will continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza."

How have the Palestinians reacted?

Hamas released a statement welcoming the "humanitarian truce."

"The resistance is committed to the truce as long as the occupation honors it," a Hamas official told journalists.

The Palestinian Authority also hailed the agreement while reiterating its call for "a comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression" and more aid deliveries, senior official Hussein al-Sheikh wrote on X.

Gaza resident Hamza Abdel Razeq said he would welcome any ceasefire agreement, hoping it would bring some respite.

"The people are really suffering," he said. "I believe it will pave the way for longer truces or even a total ceasefire."

Another Gaza resident, Mahmud Abu Najm, said: "We... pray to God for its success because the people are enduring an unbearable situation."

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