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1 week ago

Israel-Gaza ceasefire live: Deal to begin on Sunday as Hamas accepts deal to release hostages

US president Joe Biden says he’s ‘deeply satisfied’ for people of Israel, hostage families and innocent people of Gaza

Related: Celebratory gunshots in Beirut after Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire brokered

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Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel, bringing an end to 15 months of war that have ravaged Gaza, after months of negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

The deal, which is due to begin on Sunday, promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and will allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to what remains of their homes.

A Hamas source said the group’s leader, Khalil Al Hayya, had delivered approval for the ceasefire agreement to mediators in Qatar.

A senior Biden administration official credited the presence of President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, as being critical to reaching the agreement.

President Joe Biden said: “I’m deeply satisfied this day has finally come for the sake of the people of Israel and the families waiting in agony, for the sake of the innocent people in Gaza, who suffered unimaginable devastation because of the war.”

The three-phase deal will begin with “a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all the populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages held by Hamas, including women and elderly and the wounded” over six weeks, Mr Biden said.

1 week ago

Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal reached, source tells the Independent

A Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal has been reached, a source close to the negotiations has told The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley.

It comes following the Qatari prime minister’s meeting with Hamas negotiators, and separately Israeli negotiators, in his office.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 17:00
1 week ago

Everything we know about the draft ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas

Everything we know about the proposed Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

A deal to end the conflict is said to be close

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:59
1 week ago

Israel and Hamas agree ceasefire, official brief on deal says

Israel and Hamas have reached a Gaza ceasefire deal designed to end the 15-month war following the conclusion of talks in Qatar, an official briefed on the deal has told Reuters.

The agreement follows months of negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the backing of the United States.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:54
1 week ago

US official says Gaza ceasefire has been reached - report

A Gaza ceasefire has been reached, a US official has said according to American outlet Axios.

The claim comes from the outlet’s Global Affairs Correspondent, Barak Ravid.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:40
1 week ago

Talks hit ‘last minute snag’ - Israeli official

In contradictory developments to those coming from Hamas sources, an Israeli official has said talks have hit a “last-minute snag”, according to Sky News.

The snag is reportedly around the presence of Israeli forces in the Philadelphia corridor in the south of Gaza, with Hamas demanding Israeli forces withdraw slightly further.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:37
1 week ago

Breaking: Hamas delivers ceasefire approval to mediators - source

Hamas has approved the ceasefire agreement, a source has told Sky News.

The group’s leader, Khalil Al Hayya, delivered the approval to mediators in Doha, Qatar.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:32
1 week ago

Qatari PM meeting Hamas officials in his office

The prime minister of Qatar is meeting Hamas officials in his office in a final push towards a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, a source involved in the talks has told Reuters.

Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, who is also the foreign minister, is set to host a press conference this evening.

Alex Croft15 January 2025 16:24
1 week ago

Qatar to give update

Qatar is set to give an update on an anticipated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as the US emphasised the “coming hours” for a deal.

The Gulf state’s foreign ministry will hold a press conference in Doha on Wednesday, where a truce is being hammered out by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

It comes as US president Joe Biden and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al Sisi emphasised “the urgent need for a deal to be implemented” and said they would be in contact over the “coming hours”.

Alexander Butler15 January 2025 15:44
1 week ago

Israel denies reports Hamas accepted ceasefire

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has denied reports Hamas has agreed to a last-minute ceasefire deal nearly 15 months into the war.

Israeli media channels had reported that, following the green light from Hamas, the deal would be formally announced on Thursday and would come into effect on Sunday with the release of the first of the hostages.

But the prime minister’s office immediately said Hamas had not communicated its answer to the proposal drawn up by US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organisation has not yet returned its response to the deal,” the prime minister’s office said.

Alexander Butler15 January 2025 14:06
1 week ago

Pictured: Palestinians mourn those killed in Israeli airstrikes

Palestinians mourn those killed by Israeli strikes amid ceasefire talks
Palestinians mourn those killed by Israeli strikes amid ceasefire talks (REUTERS)
Two women mourn at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes
Two women mourn at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital after Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes (REUTERS)
Alexander Butler15 January 2025 10:54

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