Qatar and the United States announced Wednesday a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas, adding that they hoped it would pave the way for a permanent end to the war in Gaza.After mediators earlier said a deal had been reached,

JERUSALEM - A ceasefire in the Gaza war will begin at 8.30am (2.30pm Singapore time) on Jan 19, mediator Qatar has said after Israel’s Cabinet voted to approve the ceasefire and hostage-prisoner release deal.

Key mediator Qatar said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" on Tuesday, expressing hope an agreement could be reached "very soon".

The ceasefire between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip will take effect this Sunday, January 19, announced this Wednesday by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Mohamed bin Abderrahman.

Gaza health officials said a wave of Israeli strikes hit the territory's southern district of Khan Yunis on Tuesday evening, killing a dozen people, seven of them children. At least five strikes targeted parts of Khan Yunis,

Gaza health officials said a wave of Israeli strikes hit the territory’s southern district of Khan Yunis on Tuesday evening, killing a dozen people, including seven

Qatar's prime minister said Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza starting on Sunday and a hostage and prisoner exchange after 15 months of war. The agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators,

First phase of agreement likely to involve release of 33 Israeli hostages and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners

A ceasefire in the Gaza war will begin Sunday morning at 0630 GMT, mediator Qatar said on Saturday after Israel's cabinet voted to approve the truce and hostage-prisoner release deal.

Key mediator Qatar said negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal were in their "final stages" on Tuesday, adding that it was hopeful an agreement could be reached "very soon." Qatar, Egypt and the United States have stepped up efforts to broker a ceasefire

At least five strikes targeted parts of Khan Yunis, including one in the Al-Mawasi ... They came as mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States brokered negotiations between Israel and Hamas ...

The first three hostages were released Sunday after the ceasefire officially began. A total of 33 hostages will be released in the first phase of the deal.