Qatar (Middle East, Asia)

Hamas fighters released a first wave of 13 Israeli women and children on Friday under a truce deal and also released 11 farm workers from Thailand and the Philippines

Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas will start a four-day truce on Friday morning with the first batch of Israeli hostages released later that day, mediators in Qatar said.

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the leaders of Qatar and Egypt in the aftermath of a deal to secure the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas

U.S. and Israeli officials said a deal to free some of the hostages being held in the besieged enclave was edging closer.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday that Canada would continue to work with Qatar to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.