The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to begin on Sunday, pausing the devastating 15-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip
Mayor Pro Tem Marikay Abuzuaiter lost a loved one when the war first started. She thought the ceasefire would give some comfort. A delay caused the opposite.
President Biden released a statement following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire announcement Wednesday, saying release of American hostages will be included in the agreement.
A truce in the brutal war that began with the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks trades 3 Israeli hostages for 100 Palestinian prisoners. No American is on the list.
The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas, leading to a possible end to 15 months of a devastating war in Gaza that spread to other parts of the Middle East.
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.
Masked Hamas fighters carrying rifles returned to the streets of Gaza after a ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, declaring “victory” as they drove through rubble-strewn streets.
At least 12 people were treated for injuries after Israeli settlers attacked two occupied West Bank villages north of Jerusalem, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.The attacks came after newly-inaugurated US president Donald Trump rescinded Biden-era executive orders that sanctioned far-right Israeli settlers for undermining peace in the territory.
Hamas' armed wing said the group would abide by a ceasefire agreement that came into force in Gaza on Sunday but that any possible Israeli violations would endanger the process and put the lives of hostages at risk.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that Israel's negotiating team had finalized a deal on the release of hostages held in Gaza.