37 minutes ago Scenes of joy as Palestinians in Gaza react to ceasefire deal announcement – video

Dozens celebrated across the Gaza strip as it was announced that a deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of war. The deal reportedly includes the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases, the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and allowing hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to their homes. Israel’s government is expected to vote on the deal tomorrowIsrael-Gaza war liveIsrael’s cabinet reportedly preparing to meet to ratify Gaza ceasefire deal Continue reading...

Economics

19 minutes ago The Guardian view on a ceasefire in Gaza: far too late, but desperately needed | Editorial

As officials report that a deal has been agreed, a precarious pause in hostilities and the release of hostages could only be welcomedHope has rarely felt so fragile, or so inadequate. A moment long sought and prayed for will nonetheless be met with fear and apprehension as well as joy by Palestinians in the wasteland that is Gaza and among the traumatised families of Israeli hostages.After more than 15 months of war, which has left tens of thousands dead and almost 2 million struggling to survive, US officials and others reported that a ceasefire and hostage-release deal has been reached. The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said there were still “unresolved clauses”, though his cabinet was expected to vote on it on Thursday morning. They should back it. The broad outlines of this agreement have long been clear. The cost of the delay is unbearable. Since it was first mooted, thousands more Palestinians and an unknown number of Israeli hostages taken in the Hamas...

Events

25 hours ago Gaza ceasefire ‘closer than ever’ as US says truce between Israel and Hamas could ‘come anytime’

First phase of agreement likely to involve release of 33 Israeli hostages and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners

Politics

30 hours ago Gaza ceasefire deal hoped to be in final stages as mediators meet in Qatar

First phase of agreement likely to involve release of 33 Israeli hostages and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisonersMiddle East crisis – live updatesMediators are meeting in Doha on Tuesday amid high hopes that Gaza ceasefire negotiations are in their final stages after claims of a breakthrough in overnight talks.Israeli media and reports from the Qatari capital said the agreement would involve an initial release of 33 Israeli hostages, including children, women, elderly people and the sick, and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, alongside a partial Israeli troop withdrawal in a first phase lasting 60 days. Continue reading...

Economics

31 hours ago Hamas accepts draft agreement for Gaza ceasefire that will see 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent the past year trying to mediate an end the 15-month war and secure the release dozens of hostages captured in October 2023

Events

38 hours ago ‘Fadi is fighting for his life’: Israel blocks evacuation of cameraman shot in Gaza

Fadi al-Wahidi’s condition is deteriorating, say hospital staff, who do not have medication needed to treat himIt was about 3pm on 9 October when a small group of Al Jazeera journalists arrived at the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. The team say they were reporting on the displacement of Palestinian families after Israel launched its third offensive on the area, turning it into an unrecognisable wasteland of rubble.Among them was the cameraman Fadi al-Wahidi, who moved ahead and began recording as his team set up their equipment. “At the time, none of us were aware that the IDF was close by,” says the 25-year-old from his bed at al-Helou hospital in Gaza. “But suddenly, the sound of gunfire surrounded us.” Continue reading...

Politics