Israel and Hamas agree to Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, source says

 The Israeli government and Hamas have agreed to a deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and lead to the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, a source briefed on the talks tells CNN.

Under the deal, which is yet to be formally announced, Hamas and its allied militant groups are expected to release 33 hostages seized from Israel during the attacks of October 7, 2023.

In return, Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

The agreement would deliver the first reprieve from war for the people of Gaza in more than a year, and only the second since the Israeli bombardment began.

Once confirmed, it is expected that the deal will allow Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza and there would be a massive influx of humanitarian aid into the strip, where residents have long faced dire humanitarian conditions.

Trump reacts to Israel and Hamas reaching hostage deal

US President-elect Donald Trump said a hostage deal had been reached and that the hostages being held by Hamas would be “released shortly.”

“WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Hamas calls on citizens “not to move” until official start of ceasefire

 Hamas’ government media office in Gaza is telling residents of the enclave to not move until the official start of the ceasefire.

“The Government Media Office calls on the honorable citizens not to move before the official start of the ceasefire, and to obtain information about the timing of the ceasefire from official sources,” it said in a press release.