57 minutes ago Gaza ceasefire deal LIVE: Israel's cabinet set to meet to approve deal amid scenes of jubilation in Middle East

Deal reached after 15 months of conflict that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians

Politics

7 hours ago A ceasefire deal is here. For Gaza, the Middle East and the world, the future remains unknown

The sacrifice has been so great, the misery so complete, that few can claim with certainty that this was all worthwhileThere may be no winners in war, but history suggests combatants are often eager to convince the world otherwise.The ending of the 15-month conflict in Gaza may prove an exception. The sacrifice has been so great, the misery so complete, and the ultimate future for Gaza so uncertain that few can claim with certainty that this was all worthwhile, or likely to benefit Israel’s security in the long term. The damage to Israel’s reputation may last decades. Continue reading...

Economics

22 minutes ago Israel security cabinet to meet to approve ceasefire deal as strikes continue on Gaza – live

Medics in Palestinian territory say more than 30 killed in strikes; Benjamin Netanyahu says ‘final details’ of deal still being worked on The devastating impact of 15 months of war on GazaHow Trump loomed over Gaza ceasefire negotiationsRelatives of hostages welcome ceasefirePalestinians express joy over ceasefire dealKey mediator Qatar said that 33 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza would be released in the first stage of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the war in the Palestinian territory.Israel earlier said it would release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first stage of a Gaza truce agreement, Israeli and Palestinian sources reported Tuesday. Continue reading...

Events

7 hours ago UN says it's ready to ramp up delivery of desperately needed aid to Gaza

The United Nations says it’s ready to ramp up the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza after a ceasefire agreement and urged the removal of major security and political obstacles so it can reach all those in need

Politics

13 hours 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

4 hours ago Israeli strikes on Gaza reported after Sunday ceasefire deal with Hamas announced – live

Medics in Palestinian territory say more than 30 killed in strikes late on Wednesday; Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says ‘final details’ of deal still being worked on ahead of security cabinet meetingGaza ceasefire deal: what we know so far A ceasefire deal is here. For Gaza, the Middle East and the world, the future remains unknown Hamas and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire deal, pausing the war in Gaza and designed to broker an end to the brutal 15-month conflict. The agreement is set to be officially accepted by Israel after a cabinet meeting on Thursday.The announcement on Wednesday night from Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, was made after weeks of negotiations in the Qatari capital, Doha. There were intensified efforts in recent days to hammer out the final details after increased pressure on Israel to reach a deal from the US president-elect, Donald Trump, which Sheikh Mohammed acknowledged in his media conference.Israel’s prime minister, Ben...

Events

8 hours ago ‘Happiness, sadness, grief and worry’ across Israel and Gaza following ceasefire deal agreement

People are celebrating in the streets as a ceasefire deal is reached, but they still have 72 hours to wait, writes Bel Trew from Tel Aviv

Politics

14 hours ago Israel and Hamas 'agree on ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release deal', mediators claim: Benjamin Netanyahu speaks out on final details

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

7 hours ago Biden warns ‘oligarchy is taking shape in America’ in farewell address – live

US president also took credit for Gaza ceasefire deal, which was agreed hours earlierJoe Biden says ‘soul of America’ still at stake in farewell letter as presidentFact-checking and misinformation got a shout out during his address: “The free press is crumbling,” said Biden. “Social media is giving up on fact checking.”Biden spoke about the ravages of climate change and warned of corporate efforts to roll back climate protections. “Powerful forces want to wield their unchecked influence to eliminate the steps we’ve taken to tackle the climate crisis,” he said. Continue reading...

Events

9 hours ago John Swinney welcomes Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas

A ceasefire deal has been agreed after 15 months of warfare in the region.

Politics

15 hours ago Israel and Hamas agree ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release deal, mediators announce

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

11 hours ago Israel and Hamas agree to 'long overdue' ceasefire in major breakthrough in 15

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

Politics

12 hours ago Palestinians take to streets of Gaza's Khan Younis to celebrate Hamas ceasefire

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

11 hours ago Biden gets to leave office with a ceasefire deal. But it wasn’t soon enough to save Kamala

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

Politics

12 hours ago Starmer welcomes ‘overdue’ Gaza ceasefire and mourns Britons lost in conflict

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

12 hours ago Gaza ceasefire deal to begin on Sunday; Biden says Israel to negotiate ‘permanent end to war’ – live

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

13 hours ago A year of war in Gaza: A timeline of key moments as ceasefire deal agreed

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

12 hours ago Trump credited for ceasefire breakthrough as US officials who resigned over Gaza war slam Biden’s inaction

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

Politics

13 hours 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

13 hours ago ‘A stern message’: how return of Trump loomed over Gaza ceasefire negotiations

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

13 hours ago Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Deal to pause war and release hostages agreed and will take effect on Sunday

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

Events

13 hours ago Gaza ceasefire deal to take effect on 19 January; Biden says Israel to negotiate ‘permanent end to war’ – live

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

13 hours ago Gaza ceasefire announced but Israel warns details still to be finalised

Deal would end devastating war that has shaken Middle East and world beyond

Events

14 hours ago Trump takes full credit for ‘EPIC’ ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas

Ceasefire expected to be formally announced later today

Politics

14 hours ago Israel and Hamas 'ceasefire deal agreed' as Gaza war to be paused for hostage release

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

Events

14 hours ago Gaza ceasefire LIVE: Deal reached between Israel and Hamas, say mediators, as Trump says hostages will be released

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

Politics

15 hours ago Israel and Hamas agree historic Gaza ceasefire deal after 15 months of war

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

14 hours ago Trump claims credit for ‘epic’ ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas: Live updates

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

Politics

15 hours ago Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire deal to pause Gaza war and release some hostages, mediators say

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

15 hours ago Gaza ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas, officials tell media, as Trump says hostages will be released

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

Politics

28 hours ago Encouraging that Gaza ceasefire could be agreed "very soon" but peace could take years

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

Events