Middle East

Donald Trump claims full credit for the ceasefire and hostage release agreement that - after 14 months of negotiations since the last pause in fighting - with an unlikely team securing the deal.

An official has revealed the full list of hostages set to be released by Hamas during the first six-week ceasefire stage, as three Israelis become the first hostages reunited with their families.

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement has come into effect, with celebrations in the streets as the first Israeli hostages held in Gaza are freed and reunited with loved ones.

With just hours to go before an agreed ceasefire to halt the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces have bombarded the Gaza Strip, with Netanyahu labelling the first phase ‘temporary’.

After fears the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was close to falling through, negotiators have reportedly officially signed the deal which could see hostages freed on Monday.

Israeli politicians have threatened to resign from government if a ceasefire agreement, that would see the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza goes ahead, with the deciding vote delayed again.

Both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have jockeyed for credit following a Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement, but credit really only belongs to one.

As a ceasefire deal to pause more than 15 months of war in Gaza nears final approval, the figures tell the story of its cost.

STEPHEN POLLARD: The Gaza deal should be seen not as the final hurrah of the Biden administration but, rather, as the first foreign policy success of Mr Trump’s second term. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement as a “constructive step towards peace and stability” in the region.

‘After over 460 days of our family members being held in Hamas tunnels, we are closer than ever to reuniting with our loved ones.’

Hamas and Israel have reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal following more than 15 months of bloodshed. Here is what we know.

President-elect Donald Trump, who warned of ‘hell to pay’ if hostages were not released before he took office, has swiftly claimed credit for the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

A ceasefire deal, which includes conditions for the release of hostages has been struck between negotiators from Israel and Hamas, ushering in the end of over 15 months of conflict in the Middle East.