6 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

5 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

2 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

11 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

5 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

7 hours ago Watch: Qatar prime minister speaks as Hamas accepts Israel ceasefire deal

Watch again as Qatar’s prime minister held a press conference on Wednesday (15 January) as Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Politics

12 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 Emotional scenes in Gaza as ceasefire deal offers 'rare moment of hope' amid war

Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal - pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip - and so now dozens of hostages in Palestine are finally set to be released

Events

7 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

13 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

7 hours ago Watch: Israeli hostage families react as Hamas accepts ceasefire deal to end war

Watch again as Israeli hostage families react after Hamas accepted a ceasefire deal on Wednesday (15 January).

Events

10 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

9 hours ago Hamas captivity survivor makes ceasefire plea: 'No one should be left behind‘

A Hamas captivity survivor made an emotional plea to ensure no hostages are “left behind” following a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Events

10 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

10 hours ago ‘No closure until last hostage is home’, say families of killed British citizens

A ceasefire and hostage deal has been agreed between Israel and Hamas.

Events

11 hours ago Biden says Israel, Hamas have reached ceasefire deal after ‘intensive diplomacy’

The deal was reached after negotiations involving representatives of both the Biden and incoming Trump administrations

Politics

11 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

11 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

11 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

12 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

11 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

12 hours ago Watch live: Qatar prime minister speaks as Hamas accepts Israel ceasefire deal to pause war

Watch live as Qatar’s prime minister holds a press conference on Wednesday (15 January) as Hamas has reportedly accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel to pause the war.

Politics

12 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

12 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

13 hours ago Watch live: Israeli hostage families react as Hamas accepts ceasefire deal to end war

Watch live as Israeli hostage families react following reports Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal to end the war on Wednesday (15 January).

Events

13 hours ago Watch live: Qatar prime minister speaks as Hamas accepts Israel ceasefire deal to end war

Watch live as Qatar’s prime minister holds a press conference on Wednesday (15 January) as Hamas has reportedly accepted a ceasefire deal with Israel to end the war.

Politics

13 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

13 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

13 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

28 hours ago Ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas 'closer than ever': End of months of bloodshed could be just hours away

Relatives of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas were told during a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu that a deal to let their loved ones go and end the war could be settled within hours.

Events