Israel will free 39 Palestinian prisoners, including 24 women and 15 teenage boys, in exchange for 13 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas under the temporary truce today. The swap is scheduled to occur around 4pm local time with prisoners handed to the Red Cross and hostages transferred at the Gaza-Egypt border. The hostages were among over 200 kidnapped in Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Israel's military completed preparations to receive the freed civilians, providing medical care and counseling on their journey home. The temporary truce has also allowed aid to start to flow into the besieged enclaves of Gaza, devasted by Israeli bombing and ground assault. Israeli tanks have moved away from the northern end of Gaza while there was an absence of hostile activity in the air from warplanes or rockets. The four-day ceasefire involves the staged release of 50 women and children hostages held by Hamas, in return for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli jails. Israel says the truce could be extended beyond the initial four days if Hamas continues to release hostages at a rate of at least 10 per day.

A ceasefire in the 48-day Gaza war began Friday, 71am local time, involving a truce in north and south Gaza, hostage releases, and allowing aid entry - though it appeared "shaky" with no major attacks but some reported violations. Reuters correspondents reported to have heard no Israeli air force activity or Palestinian rocket launches since the beginning of the truce. However, some media reports said that no bombing sounds were heard but alleged Israel blocked returnees, and a firing in one incident with no reported casualties. Dozens of Israeli military vehicles including tanks were seen leaving Gaza. Qatar's spokesperson said the first 13 hostages including elderly women, would be freed at 4pm today, rising to 50 over four days. In return, Israel will also be releasing 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails as a part of the deal. Hamas confirmed on Telegram that "all hostilities from its forces would cease." On the first day of the truce, the situation seems 'shaky' and tense as both sides were accused of violations though no significant strikes are still reported.

In a significant diplomatic development, The short truce is set to begin in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the exchange of hostages scheduled later today, orchestrated by Qatar and the US. The ceasefire, starting at 10:30 am IST, aims for a complete cessation of hostilities and provides a window for the safe release. The initial batch comprises 13 women and children, escalating to 50 over the next four days. International pressure mounts on Israel to end the conflict as the region faces escalating tensions. The agreement follows weeks of intensive diplomatic efforts, including engagements by US President Joe Biden, marking a potential breakthrough in the longstanding conflict

Dublin experiences widespread unrest after a knife attack leaves four injured, including a 5-year-old girl. Riots, clashes with police, vehicle fires break out as bus, a tram and at least one police car is torched, shops were looted. The Irish police chief attributed the chaos to a "lunatic, hooligan faction driven by far-right ideology." Public transport disruptions persist, and the ambulance service faces extreme busyness, streets in turmoil. A Deliveroo driver, witnessing the attack, intervenes heroically. Irish president condemns the groups exploiting the tragedy for their agenda. Police report no serious injuries despite the chaos. Dublin streets now "mainly calm" but public urged to stay vigilant. Investigation into the motive remains open.

Protests erupted in Dublin following a suspected school stabbing that left three children injured, including a five-year-old girl with serious injuries. Rumors on social media about the attacker's nationality fueled the unrest, with clashes between protesters and police resulting in damaged vehicles and a torched car. Police Chief Drew Harris attributed the chaos to a "complete lunatic faction driven by far-right ideology" and urged against the spread of misinformation. The incident occurred outside a city center primary school, with witnesses describing the scene as chaotic. A suspect has been arrested, and police are treating it as a standalone attack.

China grapples with a surge in mysterious pneumonia cases, prompting panic as hospitals, like Beijing Children's Hospital, exceed capacity with an average of 7,000 patients daily. First highlighted by ProMED, concerns mirror initial Covid-19 alerts. Experts speculate a wave of respiratory illnesses, potentially flu or RSV, intensified by the first post-lockdown winter. China's health commission advises seeking primary care for mild symptoms due to overcrowded major hospitals. The WHO notes increased respiratory illnesses in children, urging preventive measures. Scientists caution against premature pandemic concerns, emphasizing a measured response to the evolving situation.        

Hezbollah escalated tensions by firing more than 50 rockets at Israeli military posts in northern Israel, a day after an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon killed five senior Hezbollah fighters. The intense bombardment marked one of the most severe attacks since Hezbollah's involvement in the Israel-Hamas war. The group stated that the rocket volleys targeted an Israeli army base, including tanks and troop positions. The move is seen as an attempt to ease pressure on Gaza amid ongoing conflicts. Meanwhile, a Gaza ceasefire agreement faced last-minute challenges, prolonging the volatile situation in the region. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is set to commence tomorrow at 7 am.

The temporary truce between Israel and Hamas will begin at 7am. local time on Friday and civilian hostages will be released at 4pm local time, Qatar announced on Thursday. Thirteen women and children will be among the first to be released tomorrow. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Dr. Majed Al Ansari said they received a civilian prisoner list for release at 4pm, expecting Israel will also free some jailed Palestinians. Al Ansari stated: “We are hoping that we don't see any further delays.” The agreement enables humanitarian supplies and Red Cross access in Gaza. Hamas agreed to free 50 Israeli hostages in return for 150 Palestinian prisoners' release from Israeli jails. The list of hostages expected to be released has been handed to the Israeli intelligence service Mossad, Al-Ansari said in a news conference.

Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claimed that Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza's largest hospital, al-Shifa, has been arrested by Israeli troops along with other medical staff in a move it "strongly condemned" as "inhumane". The ministry said Al-Shifa staffs who were exiting with a WHO convoy were stopped for hours at an IDF checkpoint in central Gaza and several staff were arrested. It follows Israel alleging discovery of a 55-meter tunnel under the hospital complex which contained a blast door, kitchen, and meeting room. An Israeli commander claimed it showed Hamas used the hospital as a "human shield." Dr Muhammad Abu Salmiya's detention has not been confirmed by Israel. As reported by CNN, The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry is suspending cooperation with the WHO on evacuations from Al-Shifa hospital after the alleged arrest of Dr. Salmiya by Israel while exiting with a WHO convoy. Spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra declared they "decide to stop full coordination with the WHO on evacuating the remaining wounded” until the director is released. The ministry blamed the UN and demanded an explanation over the incident involving the WHO convoy.

Qatar said it will announce the start time for the Israel-Hamas truce "in the next few hours". Though the ceasefire was slated to start at 8am Israeli time on Thursday, in a surprise move Israel's National Security Council confirmed "No hostages will be released before Friday", delaying expectations of earlier prisoner swaps and ceasefire. The Qatari Foreign Ministry stated talks are "progressing positively" on implementing the hostage deal with the involvement of Egypt and the US. An Israeli official downplayed seriousness, citing “fairly minor implementation details.” PM Netanyahu disclosed the deal excludes "release of murderers" after Israel's Supreme Court greenlit it. As part of the deal, the United States and Israel will pause drone flights over Gaza for six hours each day, Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer told CNN.