Qatar has announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day pause in fighting in exchange for the release of 50 hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

The Qatari government, which mediated the deal, said on Wednesday that the starting time of the pause would be announced within the next 24 hours.

It also said the agreement includes the release of some Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons in return for the hostages who will be freed by Hamas.

It added that the humanitarian pause will allow relief supplies, including fuel, to be delivered into Gaza.

The Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on Wednesday after the deal was approved at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting.

The statement said, "at least 50 hostages -- women and children -- will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held. The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause."

Prior to this, Hamas had revealed the agreement on social media.

Israel also said in the statement that it will continue its offensive in order to bring all hostages home, completely eliminate Hamas and ensure there will be no threats to the country from Gaza.

Israeli forces claimed on Wednesday morning that they destroyed a tunnel used by Hamas.

The focus is now on whether the agreement will be implemented.