Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire deal designed to end 15-month-long war in Gaza: live updates
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According to Israeli officials, 98 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza, and about 60 of them are alive. Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal in a significant breakthrough which includes the release of Israeli hostages. The agreement, brokered by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, will pause a conflict that has lasted for 15 months and seen the deaths of more than 46,000 people in Gaza.
![[Supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped on October 7 hug in Tel Aviv]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/17/SEI236070396.jpg)
The deal includes the planned limited withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid. The first stage of the deal includes the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. According to Israeli officials, 98 hostages are believed to remain in Gaza and about 60 of them are alive. Seven of the hostages are Americans.
![[People react to news of a ceasefire and hostage deal in Tel Aviv]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/17/2193465916.jpg)
Barak Ravid of Axios noted on CNN that President Joe Biden’s and President-elect Donald Trump’s envoys worked closely together during the transition, making the deal possible. Watch live as Israeli hostage families react following reports Hamas has accepted a ceasefire deal to end the war on Wednesday (15 January).
The deal was reached after the Qatari prime minister met Hamas and Israeli negotiators in his office, a source close to the negotiations has told The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley. It came after a Hamas source said the group’s leader, Khalil Al Hayya, had delivered approval for the ceasefire agreement to mediators in Qatar.
![[The ceasefire will mean an end to the 15 month war]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/15/16/2025-01-15T165606Z_1982173089_RC2EACA50G93_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-GAZA.jpg)
