Gaza ceasefire due to start 19 January: BBC

Palestinians in Gaza celebrate ceasefire deal. Getty Images via BBC_11zon

An agreement reached between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza involves three phases. The ceasefire is due to start on 19 January. Earlier on Wednesday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there were still "several unresolved clauses" in the deal, which the Israeli parliament is expected to discuss on Thursday. US President Joe Biden said the US, Qatar and Egypt will keep ensuring the two parties work towards a permanent ceasefire.

Summary

• Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal to end 15 months of war

• US President Joe Biden confirmed the deal, which involves a full and complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the release of all the hostages held by Hamas

• United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says easing "the tremendous suffering caused by this conflict" is the first priority, with the UN ready to increase aid deliveries to the Palestinians

• Despite the deal, which does not come into effect until Sunday, 19 January, the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed more than 20 people on Wednesday

• Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages

• The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry

• According to BBC Verify research, 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, of whom 34 are presumed dead

After 15 months of war, a dealpublished at 08:04

08:04

After 15 months of war, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire deal.

Here are the key developments from a dramatic day of diplomacy:

• Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to come into effect on Sunday

• US President Joe Biden confirmed the deal, which involves a ceasefire in Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of all the remaining hostages held by Hamas

• The deal also paves the way for increased aid deliveries to Palestinians

• The agreement comes into effect on Sunday, but fighting has continued in the meantime. On Wednesday the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency reported that Israeli airstrikes killed more than 20 people

• Hamas attacked southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages

• The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry

• According to BBC Verify research, 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, of whom 34 are presumed dead

- BBC News live coverage