Israel-Hamas Agreement on Ceasefire and Hostage Release

A major breakthrough in the Gaza conflict appears imminent as Israel and Hamas have agreed in principle to a ceasefire deal aimed at halting months of deadly fighting and securing the release of remaining hostages. Images aired by Egyptian state television show Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish delegations inside the negotiating room in the Red Sea resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, where the latest round of mediation took place.
Israeli and Hamas delegations were also present. According to international media reports quoting Israeli officials, the Israeli government is scheduled to meet today to formally consider and potentially approve the agreement. If ratified, the ceasefire is expected to go into effect immediately.
Under the terms of the deal, fighting will cease, Israel will conduct a partial military withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and Hamas will release the remaining living hostages it captured during the October 2023 cross-border attack that triggered the war. In return, Israel will release an undisclosed number of Palestinian prisoners.
The agreement follows months of intense negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, as international pressure mounted to bring an end to a war that has killed tens of thousands and caused a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Officials say details on the implementation timeline, hostage releases, and prisoner exchanges will be made public once the Israeli cabinet reaches a final decision.