Smotrich said he has received assurances that Israel will resume the war after the first phase, during which 33 hostages held in Gaza are to return home and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. The second phase, which must still be negotiated, is to work out an end to the war and return of all remaining hostages.

Police thwart attack at Kalandiya crossing in West Bank • Israeli public split on war achievements • Israeli government approves hostage deal

Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, with no end in sight to the 15-month conflict.

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has taken effect following an almost three-hour delay after Hamas was late to name the three hostage it plans to release

A year after Israel vowed to wipe Hamas ‘off the face of the earth’ following the 7 October attack into Israel the conflict has spread across the Middle East

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of dozens of hostages. Newsweek's live blog is closed.

Israel’s full Cabinet is meeting Friday evening on the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants along with Palestinian prisoners held by

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was important to include President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the latest round of talks because if a ceasefire can be reached, it will be up to the Trump team in part to ensure it survives beyond Inauguration Day.

Israel’s Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas and other militants in the Gaza Strip, along with Palestinian prisoners

At least 80 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza, it has been reported. A ceasefire and hostage return deal was reached on Wednesday, but has yet to be ratified by the Israeli parliament. According to authorities in Gaza, 81 people have been killed in the last 24 hours – 188 have been injured.

Israel has confirmed that it will maintain control over the Rafah border crossing, the key passage between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.