Families of Israelis and Palestinians set to be released in a deal between Israel and Hamas now have hope that they will soon see their relatives.
The Qatar-brokered deal which would see a temporary halt to fighting and the release of Palestinians and Israelis being held on both sides was delayed until this evening.
The truce, which initially was supposed to come into force late last night, had to be further mediated by Qatar.
Qatar announced overnight that the ceasefire will begin Friday morning local time, followed shortly after by the release of women and children held in Gaza and Israel Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari called the deal "a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel."
BBC's Security Correspondent Frank Gardner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.
