Israel and Hamas agree historic Gaza ceasefire deal after 15 months of war - Phased truce will bring the release of dozens of hostages still held by Hamas inside the besieged territory

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Israel and Hamas agreed to pause the devastating war in the Gaza Strip, mediators announced Wednesday, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been confirmed by the United States and Qatar, pausing the devastating 15-month war in Gaza and clearing the way for dozens of hostages to go home. The ceasefire brings hopes of winding down the most deadly and destructive war Israel and Hamas have ever fought — a conflict that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests.

Israel-Gaza ceasefire live: Charity hails ‘rare moment of hope’ as Hamas accepts deal to release hostages - US president Joe Biden says he’s ‘deeply satisfied’ for people of Israel, hostage families and innocent people of Gaza

By Nidal al-Mughrabi CAIRO (Reuters) - U.S. and Arab mediators are working round-the-clock to hammer out a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, sources close to the talks said, while in the Gaza Strip medics said Israeli strikes had killed 13 Palestinians on Thursday. The mediators, at talks in Egypt and Qatar, seek to forge a deal to pause the 14-month-old war in the Hamas-ruled enclave