GAZA CITY, Palestine

Palestinians rushed to cemeteries to visit relatives killed in Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip with the start of a humanitarian pause in the conflict with Hamas.

Many Palestinians visited the cemetery located in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah, with a capacity for 500 but where 600 are buried due to constraints.

Those who lost loved ones in Israel's attacks or due to problems arising from the restrictions on the entry of medicine and fuel, shed tears and offered prayers.

Munir Labda lost his son in an Israeli bombardment, told Anadolu that it was the first time he visited his son's grave since he died.

The grieving father said his son had a cheerful spirit and he memorized the Muslim holy book, the Quran.

Ali Isa, who lost his wife in the attacks and was overwhelmed with tears at her grave, said he rushed to visit the grave upon hearing about the humanitarian ceasefire.

Isa said he visited the grave for the first time as he was injured in the Israeli attacks.

Under the agreement on the four-day humanitarian pause in Gaza, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails.

The four-day humanitarian pause between the Israeli army and the Palestinian group, Hamas, took effect early Friday in all areas of the Gaza Strip, temporarily stopping attacks for prisoner exchange and aid.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

Israel has killed more than 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara.