A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel has been reached, the group and Qatari officials have told multiple news outlets.

The deal includes a six-week initial ceasefire phase, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the release of hostages held by Hamas and the release of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, Reuters reports.

Qatari and Hamas officials had said earlier today (Wednesday, January 15) that a last-minute dispute in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas had been resolved.

Israel had accused Hamas of trying to change agreed understandings over security arrangements along Gaza’s border with Egypt.

Qatar’s prime minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who has been mediating the talks, met separately with Hamas and Israeli delegations.

Soon afterwards the dispute was resolved, according to a Qatari official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the negotiations.

The Hamas official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the matter was resolved, seemingly paving the way for the deal. Three US officials have also confirmed a deal has been reached.

The agreement still needs to be approved by the Cabinet of Israel‘s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but is expected to come into effect in the next few days.

An initial six-week halt to fighting is expected as part of the deal, accompanied by the opening of negotiations on ending the war altogether.

Over six weeks, 33 of the nearly 100 hostages taken by militants on October 7, 2023, are to be reunited with their loved ones after months in in captivity and no contact with the outside world. It remains unclear, however, if all are alive.

It is also unclear exactly when and how many displaced Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes and whether the agreement will lead to a complete end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, these being key Hamas demands for releasing the remaining captives.

US President-elect Donald Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social: “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!”

The US, Egypt and Qatar have brokered months of indirect talks between Israel and Hamas which has culminated in this latest deal.

It comes after Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed a ceasefire in November after more than a year of conflict linked to the war in the Gaza.

Many questions about postwar Gaza remain, including who will rule the territory or oversee the daunting task of reconstruction.

The announcement offered the first glimmer of hope in months that Israel and Hamas may be winding down the most deadly and destructive war they’ve ever fought, a conflict which has destabilised the Middle East and sparked protests worldwide.

Hamas triggered the war with its cross-border attack, which killed some 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 others taken hostage.

Israel responded with a fierce offensive which killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. An estimated 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced, sparking an humanitarian crisis.

More than 100 hostages were freed from Gaza in a weeklong truce in November 2023.

Abed Radwan, a Palestinian father of three, said of the ceasefire deal: “The best day in my life and the life of the Gaza people. Thank God, thank God. People are crying here. They don’t believe it’s true.”

Sharone lifschitz, whose father Oded is being held hostage, said she was stunned and grateful, but won’t believe it until she sees the captives come home.

She said: “I can’t wait to see them coming back to their families. I’m so desperate to see them if by some miracle my father has survived.”