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Truce between Israel, Hamas may begin on November 24 — ambassador to Russia

"There was an idea to start everything today, but for some reasons connected with negotiations between Hamas and Qatar, it has not been coordinated at this point," Alexander Ben Zvi specified

MOSCOW, November 23. /TASS/. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is expected to begin on November 24, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi told TASS.

"This whole deal hasn't kicked off yet, so the ceasefire hasn't come into effect either. They say maybe tomorrow," he said.

"There was an idea to start everything today, but for some reasons connected with negotiations between Hamas and Qatar, it has not been coordinated at this point. So everything is moved to tomorrow," Ben Zvi said.

Earlier, Hamas reported reaching an agreement with Israel, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip that would last four days. The movement confirmed that the agreements envisage the release of 50 women, children and teenagers held in the enclave in exchange for the release of 150 women, children and teenagers from Israeli prisons.

In turn, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the government had approved the plan to return at least 50 hostages and introduce the four-day humanitarian pause. After it ends, the Israeli army will resume operations in the enclave. Netanyahu's office noted that Israel would cease hostilities for one extra day for every ten hostages that are released. More than 200 people are being held by militants, according to the Israeli side.