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

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Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire deal, mediators announced Wednesday, to pause the 15-month war in the Gaza Strip and release hostages.

The ceasefire also raises the possibility of winding down one of the deadliest and most destructive fights between the two groups.

After weeks of negotiations in the Qatari capital, the deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases.

The deal also promises to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel and would allow hundreds of thousands of people displaced in Gaza, to return to their homes.

The ceasefire would also allow badly needed humanitarian aid into the devastated territory.

Any agreement still needs to be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet.

The deal is expected to deliver an initial six-week pause to the fighting, followed by the opening of negotiations on ending the war.

Hamas triggered the war with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack, which killed around 1,200 Israelis and took 250 people hostage.

Israel responded with a fierce offensive that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, displacing an estimated 90 per cent of Gaza’s population.

Over 100 hostages were freed from Gaza in a week-long truce in November 2023.

– With files from The Associated Press.