Smoke billows over the northern Gaza Strip after Israeli air strikes. The strikes come ahead of the start of a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas. The Palestinian militant group is set to free at least 50 of the hostages they took in their deadly October 7 attack. In turn, Israel would release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and allow more humanitarian aid into the coastal territory after more than six weeks of bombardment, heavy fighting and crippling siege. IMAGES