Smotrich said he has received assurances that Israel will resume the war after the first phase, during which 33 hostages held in Gaza are to return home and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. The second phase, which must still be negotiated, is to work out an end to the war and return of all remaining hostages.

Police thwart attack at Kalandiya crossing in West Bank • Israeli public split on war achievements • Israeli government approves hostage deal

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

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The release came early Monday, more than seven hours after three Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to Israel.

At least 80 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza, it has been reported. A ceasefire and hostage return deal was reached on Wednesday, but has yet to be ratified by the Israeli parliament. According to authorities in Gaza, 81 people have been killed in the last 24 hours – 188 have been injured.

Palestinians returning to parts of the enclave have been picking their way through vast piles of rubble and trying to salvage what they can.

As a ceasefire brought calm to Gaza’s ruined cities, Hamas was quick to emerge from hiding. The militant group has not only survived Israel’s 15-month military campaign — among the deadliest and most

The agreement for the swap, laid out as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, involves Hamas gradually releasing 33 Israeli hostages held in the Palestinian enclave over the next six weeks in exchange for Israel releasing nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees from the West Bank and Gaza.

The skies over Gaza fell silent for the first time in 14 months, bringing both relief and a sharper understanding of all that has been lost.