The ceasefire agreement could lead to a resolution to a devastating 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas

Politics

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

Crowds of joyful Palestinians took to the streets in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Wednesday (15 January) after Israel and Hamas agreed a ceasefire.

Events

Poll shows Gaza was top issue for a third of Democrat-leaning couch-sitters in three key swing states

Politics

This means pausing a 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and raising the possibility of winding down the the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

Economics

The UK Prime Minister said Britain would join its allies in continuing work to ‘break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace.’

Events

Israeli president calls on Netanyahu to ‘accept and approve’ ceasefire deal; US president confirms agreement and says US hostages to be free in first phaseGaza ceasefire deal agreed by Hamas and Israel, Qatari PM says‘Our fight is not over’: relatives of hostages welcome ceasefire The devastating impact of 15 months of war on GazaIn Oslo today, Norway is hosting a meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution.Norway’s foreign ministry Espen Barth Eide is quoted by the Anadolu news agency making opening remarks in which he said that a ceasefire in Gaza would only be the beginning of the necessary process.The time has come to take practical measures that advance the two-state solution, address the root causes of this conflict and directly confront the legality of the Israeli occupation and its ongoing violation of international law.While we are waiting for a ceasefire, it is important to stress that it will not be acceptable for any entity to govern G...

Politics

This means pausing a 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and raising the possibility of winding down the the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

Economics

A year after Israel vowed to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’ following the 7 October attack into Israel the conflict has spread across the Middle East

Events

Officials said breakthrough came when Trump applied pressure on Israeli government, something Biden was unwilling to do

Politics

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

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

US president-elect demanded a deal – while success against Iran and Hezbollah gave Israeli PM room to make oneThe phone call from Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, surprised the aides of Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.Calling from Doha in Qatar last Friday evening, after Shabbat had already begun, Witkoff announced he was coming to Israel and would meet Netanyahu. Overruling the suggestion of Netanyahu’s aides that they could meet once the Jewish day of rest was over, Witkoff, 67 – a billionaire lawyer and real estate developer – insisted brusquely that they meet in the morning. Continue reading...

Politics

Israeli official says negotiations are in ’advanced stages’ - with a deal possible in ‘hours, days or more’

Economics

Deal reportedly reached after 15 months of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians - with news conference due imminently

Events

Qatari prime minister announces deal in Doha; US president confirms agreement and says US hostages to be free in first phaseIn Oslo today, Norway is hosting a meeting of the global alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution.Norway’s foreign ministry Espen Barth Eide is quoted by the Anadolu news agency making opening remarks in which he said that a ceasefire in Gaza would only be the beginning of the necessary process.The time has come to take practical measures that advance the two-state solution, address the root causes of this conflict and directly confront the legality of the Israeli occupation and its ongoing violation of international law.While we are waiting for a ceasefire, it is important to stress that it will not be acceptable for any entity to govern Gaza but the legitimate Palestinian leadership and the government of the State of Palestine. Continue reading...

Politics

Ceasefire expected to be formally announced later today

Politics

Reports suggest a ceasefire deal has now been agreed between the two sides

Events

Deal reportedly reached after 15 months of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians - with news conference due imminently

Politics

Israel and Hamas have agreed an historic ceasefire to end 15 months of war in Gaza, The Independent understands, a conflict in which almost 50,000 people have been killed and has threatened to draw the whole of the Middle East in.

Events

According to Israeli officials, 98 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, and about 60 of them are alive

Politics

Mediatoris announced that Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and raising the possibility of winding down the the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies

Events

Deal reportedly reached after 15 months of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians - with news conference due imminently

Politics

A deal could see a halt to the fighting and Israeli hostages returned to their loved ones.

Events

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

Politics

This is the moment US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heckled during a news conference in Washington.

Events

A deal to end the conflict is said to be close

Politics

Hamas and Israel ‘in final stages’ of agreement, with Gazans still reeling from fresh deadly airstrikesMiddle East crisis – live updatesHopes rose across Gaza on Tuesday that the war that has devastated the territory, killing more than 46,000 and displacing millions, was finally over.Amid widespread reports that Hamas and Israel were in the “final stages” of agreeing a ceasefire agreement, residents of the embattled territory expressed mixed emotions: hope and fear for the future but pain and grief for the past 15 months. Continue reading...

Events

Mediators handed Israel and Hamas a final draft of an agreement yesterday, an official briefed on the negotiations said, following a midnight 'breakthrough' in talks in Doha

Politics

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

Joe Biden says ceasefire deal ‘on the brink... of finally coming to fruition’

Politics