Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal to release 50 hostages being held in Gaza during a four-day pause in fighting
The start of the pause will be announced in the next 24 hours – if successful it’ll be the first break in fighting since 7 October
Hamas says the deal will also allow hundreds of lorries of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and fuel into Gaza
The group adds that 150 Palestinian women and teenagers will be released from Israeli jails under the deal
Israel’s government insists that this isn’t the end of the war, reiterating its commitment to “complete the elimination of Hamas”
US President Joe Biden says the deal will end an “unspeakable ordeal” for some hostages, and “alleviate suffering of innocent Palestinian families”
Israel began attacking Gaza after Hamas fighters crossed the border on 7 October, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 200 others hostage
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 14,000 people – including more than 5,000 children – have been killed in Israel’s campaign.
