A deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas, which will see 50 civilians hostages freed and a four-day pause in fighting.
Paul Cunningham, RTÉ's Correspondent in Tel Aviv, examines the deal.
Who brokered the deal?
The mediation was led by the Gulf state of Qatar, with the assistance of Egypt and the United States.
Qatar's chief negotiator, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, said he hopes the deal "will be a seed to a bigger agreement and a permanent ceasefire. And that's our intention."
What's in the deal?
A truce will come into force for four days. During that time, 50 hostages - women and children - will be released by Hamas. Israel will release 50 Palestinian women and children from its jails.
When will the truce start?
Qatar says that a starting time for the cessation of hostilities will be announced in the next 24 hours. Speculation suggests that the deal will come into force on Friday.
How will the hostages be released?
The International Committee of the Red Cross will be working inside Gaza to facilitate the hostages' release. It's expected the hostages will be taken out of Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
Was it a unanimous decision of the Israeli Cabinet?
The vote wasn't disclosed but it's believed to have been a majority decision. While the Israeli Defense Forces, Shin Bet and Mossad all publicly supported the plan, it was opposed by ultra-nationalist ministers from Otzma Yehudit.
Will humanitarian aid get into Gaza?
Hamas says that large volumes of aid will be getting into Gaza during the four-day truce - including fuel.
Is this the first truce?
There have been local cessations of hostilities to facilitate civilians leaving areas under the direction of the Israeli military. This is the first to cover all of Gaza.
Could the truce be extended into a permanent ceasefire?
It seems highly unlikely. The Israeli Prime Minister said: "We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals: to destroy Hamas, return our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israeli."
However, Qatar hopes the talks process which has delivered the truce can, in time, deliver a ceasefire.
What about Islamic Jihad?
This is a smaller Palestinian armed group compared with Hamas, but it was a party to the talks process. It said this week that one of the Israeli hostages it has held since 7 October has died.
Is there any news on Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand?
Not yet. It's unclear who the 50 hostages to be released will be. However, it's understood there will be foreign nationals among them. US sources suggest that some Americans will be released.
Read more:
Israel and Hamas agree truce in hostage release deal
Israeli hostages held in Gaza - what do we know?
