Qatar says number of hostages released 'will be increased in later stages'

The start time for a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip will be announced in the next 24 hours, according to a statement by Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Qatar said Israel and Hamas had agreed to a "humanitarian pause" in their fighting and thanked Egypt and the US for their joint mediation efforts.

Qatar is home to Hamas’ political bureau and many of the groups senior political leaders.

Egypt also maintains ties with Hamas, interacting closely with its military wing, the Qassam Brigades, and its leadership in the Gaza Strip. 

Qatar said the agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons.

“The number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” the statement added.