The deal ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the war.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to start at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday.

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mohammad Salem CAIRO/GAZA (Reuters) -Thousands of Palestinians burst into the streets across Gaza as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, some in celebration,

GENEVA: The UN World Food Programme said on Monday (Jan 6) that Israeli forces had opened fire on one of its convoys in the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza

The United Nations and Israel are arguing over who must fill the gap if U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA stops working in the Gaza Strip and West Bank later this month when an Israeli law comes into force.

The agency said the convoy of three vehicles carrying eight staff members from central Gaza to Gaza City in the north was struck by 16 bullets near the Wadi Gaza checkpoint on Sunday, causing no injuries but immobilizing the convoy.

Israeli media, carrying live footage from Qatar-based Al Jazeera, showed the three women walking to Red Cross vehicles as their convoy moved through Gaza City

The first three hostages have been handed over to the Israeli military, with British-Israeli Emily Damari among the group. It marks the end of a harrowing 471 days in captivity for the 28-year-old, who was abducted from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza by Hamas on 7 October.

The UN's World Food Programme on Monday accused Israel of firing on one of its aid convoys in the war-torn Gaza Strip, saying at least 16 bullets hit the clearly marked vehicles but no staff were injured. Condemning the "horrifying" and "unacceptable ...

The UN's World Food Programme on Monday condemned Israel's attacking of its aid convoys in the war-torn Gaza Strip, saying at least 16 bullets hit th

Ceasefire in Gaza that was expected to begin today hit delays, possibly stalling the hostage release; the Israeli military continued attacks

The families and loved ones of the Israeli hostages have welcomed the “exciting news” that three women would be released on Sunday, as the ceasefire deal begins after a three-hour delay. They include British-Israeli citizen Emily Damari,