British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the humanitarian truce was “crucial to ending the plight of the hostages and getting aid to Gaza.”

Sunak thanked Qatar, Egypt and others “for the intense diplomacy that brought us to this stage.”

For his part, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said - today, Friday - that his country will provide another 30 million pounds ($37.38 million) in humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, during his trip to the occupied Palestinian territories on the second day of his visit to the region.

Cameron will meet Palestinian leaders and relief agencies, and yesterday, Thursday, he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Cameron said in a statement, "We hope that today will witness the release of hostages, and I urge all parties to continue working towards the release of all hostages. The temporary pause in fighting will also allow necessary aid to reach the residents of the Gaza Strip."