24 hours ago The relief I’ll feel if the Gaza ceasefire deal holds is tempered by rage. Because it could have happened so much sooner | Jonathan Freedland

The agreement reached this week is basically the plan Joe Biden unveiled in May. So much pain, terror and death could have been avoidedWhen news of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas first broke on Wednesday, a friend offered the kind hope that now, at last, there could be a sense of joy. I wanted very much to feel that way but, at that moment, I could not – and here’s why.For one thing, a mere announcement did not seem enough. When it comes to the Middle East, “believe it when you see it” tends to be a good operating principle. Sure enough, there followed 48 hours of hitches and last-minute delays and even now, as I write this and after the Israeli security cabinet approved the deal, it seems like tempting fate to assume everything will run smoothly. Continue reading...

Economics

2 hours ago ‘I’ll kiss the ground’: chaos feared amid Gaza ceasefire as families head home

Hundreds of thousands are now set to return to whatever remains of their houses or to claim bodies from the rubbleAid agencies in Gaza are bracing for chaotic scenes this week as hundreds of thousands of people try to return to homes across the territory after the expected implementation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Sunday.Before the ceasefire, which is due to begin at 8.30am local time, Israel has continued to carry out attacks inside Gaza. The local health ministry claimed on Saturday that 23 Palestinians had been killed in the previous 24 hours, while the Israeli army said it had conducted strikes on 50 “terror targets” on Friday. Continue reading...

Events

10 hours ago Middle East latest: Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday

Qatar’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday

Politics

24 hours ago Relief at this Gaza deal should be tempered by rage at Hamas and Netanyahu. How dare they take so long? | Jonathan Freedland

The agreement reached this week is basically the plan Joe Biden unveiled in May. So much pain and death could have been avoidedWhen news of the ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas first broke on Wednesday, a friend offered the kind hope that now, at last, there could be a sense of joy. I wanted very much to feel that way but, at that moment, I could not – and here’s why.For one thing, a mere announcement did not seem enough. When it comes to the Middle East, “believe it when you see it” tends to be a good operating principle. Sure enough, there followed 48 hours of hitches and last-minute delays and even now, as I write this and after the Israeli security cabinet approved the deal, it seems like tempting fate to assume everything will run smoothly. Continue reading...

Economics

7 hours ago Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will begin tomorrow with Brit Emily Damari one of the 33 hostages to be released

Until now, the exact time of the ceasefire's start had been unclear, though Israel had said that no Palestinian prisoners would be freed before 2pm GMT.

Events

35 hours ago Gaza ceasefire latest: Israeli cabinet will meet to approve agreement today, says Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages

Politics

7 hours ago Gaza ceasefire to begin on Sunday as Israel approves deal to free hostages in exchange for prisoners

Ceasefire set to start on Sunday when first hostages are expected to be released

Events

38 hours ago Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire and hostage release deal as Donald Trump prepares to take office

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that a ceasefire deal as well as a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached.

Politics

27 hours ago Watch live: Israelis gather in Hostage Square as security cabinet approves ceasefire deal

Watch live as Israelis gather in Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, on Friday, 17 January, as Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war-time security cabinet approves a long-awaited ceasefire deal with Hamas.

Events

41 hours ago MARK ALMOND: Why Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas may not answer anyone's prayers

Europe and America might imagine that peace will be welcomed by all sides, bringing a halt to 15 months of unremitting bloodshed.

Politics

28 hours ago Gaza ceasefire latest: Israeli security cabinet recommends approval of deal

Ceasefire set to start on Sunday when first hostages are expected to be released

Events

31 hours ago 'Everybody is tense': Family of released hostage hopeful of ceasefire confirmation

Hostages' families are hopeful for the return of their loved ones but remain "tense" waiting for a deal between Israel and Hamas.

Events

31 hours ago ‘The next nightmare is just beginning’: Ceasefire raises new fears for Gazans

In Gaza, Palestinians fear the last hours before the fighting is expected to stop on Sunday will be ‘bloody and dangerous’

Events

34 hours ago Gaza ceasefire live: Israel security cabinet to meet later after hostage deal reached, Netanyahu says

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says that security cabinet will meet on Friday following earlier delays in talks to release hostages in return for ceasefireAnalysis: Islamist groups will emerge from Gaza war weakenedDuring his final press conference earlier on Thursday, US secretary of state Antony Blinken was heckled by two journalists who criticised him for his support for the war in Gaza.That includes providing Israel with diplomatic support at the UN – blocking multiple calls for a ceasefire – and continuing to send billions of dollars worth of weapons to Israel despite concerns within his own department it is committing human rights violations. Reuters reports:“Criminal! Why aren’t you in The Hague,” shouted Sam Husseini, an independent journalist and longtime critic of Washington’s approach to the world. The Hague is where the International Criminal Court is located.The unusually confrontational scene in the State Department briefing room only ended when security personnel forcibl...

Events

38 hours ago Gaza ceasefire: Israel security cabinet to meet on Friday after hostage deal reached, Netanyahu says – live

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says in statement that security cabinet will meet on Friday following earlier delays in talks to release hostages in return for ceasefireAnalysis: Islamist groups in Middle East will emerge from Gaza war weakenedIn what has been advertised as his final interview as president, Joe Biden has said that Israel “has to find a way to accommodate the legitimate concerns” of Palestinians for the long term sustainability of Israel. He told broadcaster MSNBC:And the idea that Israel is going to be able to sustain itself for the long term without accommodating the Palestinian question ... It’s not going to happen ....And I kept reminding my friend, and he is a friend, although we don’t agree a whole lot lately, Bibi Netanyahu, that he has to find a way to accommodate the legitimate concerns of a large group of people called Palestinians, who have no place to live independently. Continue reading...

Events

39 hours ago Netanyahu's national security minister threatens to QUIT if ceasefire deal is signed

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured) made the bombshell claim as the Hamas-Israel agreement and hostage talks are set to be finalised today.

Events