Any agreement still needs to be approved by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Cabinet, but is expected to go into effect in the coming days. The deal would bring the release of hostages, allow thousands of people displaced in Gaza to return to their homes and surge badly-needed aid

The Israel-Hamas war has reached an important stage — on Sunday (January 19), the two sides will implement a ceasefire deal, which has been divided into three phases. All three will last for six weeks each,

Israel and Hamas have agreed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal following meetings with Qatar's prime minister, a source briefed on the talks has told the BBC. There was no confirmation from the Israeli government or Hamas, but a Hamas official earlier told the BBC it had approved a draft from Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators.