Israel-Gaza war live updates: Pause in fighting, transfer of hostages and prisoners delayed until Friday

Fighting in the Gaza Strip continued Thursday after a highly anticipated four-day “pause” in fighting and an exchange of hostages and prisoners were delayed. The pause in fighting and deliveries of aid are set to begin at 7 a.m. local time on Friday, said Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry of Qatar, an intermediary between Hamas and Israel. The first hostages are to be released at 4 p.m. Friday, he said, adding that the pause was delayed by last minute logistical issues, including the verification of the list of hostages set to be released. Al Ansari said 13 hostages are set to be released in the first phase of the deal. Fifty of the more than 200 people held by Hamas are expected to be released under the agreement. For every 10 hostages released beyond that, the pause will be extended for an additional day, Israel has said.