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9 months ago
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PICTURED: Huge plumes of smoke tower of Gaza as Israeli bombardment continues
- Pictures taken of the Gaza Strip from southern Israel show smoke billowing as Israel continues airstrikes ahead of a temporary truce coming into force.
UK Foreign Minister David Cameron says deal is a 'crucial step' and urges both sides to deliver it 'in full'
The UK's newly appointed Foreign Minister (and former Prime Minister) David Cameron has responded to news of the hostage release deal.
He said in a statement shared by the Foreign Office (FCDO) that the pause in fighting will help much-needed aid to get into Gaza.
Read the statement here:
EU Commission chief welcomes agreement to free hostages
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has said she welcomes the deal between Israel and Hamas.
I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities. Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many. I share the joy of the families who can soon embrace their loved ones again. And I am so grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels in recent weeks to broker this agreement. I call on the terrorist Hamas to immediately release all hostages and allow them to return home safely.
PICTURED: Homes devastated by continued Israeli bombing in the southern Gaza Strip
- Pictures show Palestinians combing through the rubble of razed buildings after another night of Israeli strikes in the southern Gaza Strip.
Good morning and welcome to MailOnline's live blog. Here are the key updates today:
- Israel and Hamas have reached a deal aimed at freeing some of the 240 hostages held in Gaza in return for a temporary ceasefire and access for humanitarian aid.
- Under the terms of the agreement, Hamas is to free 50 women and children over a four-day period, during which there will be a pause in fighting.
- While confirming the deal had been agreed upon, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Hamas would not stop after the temporary truce.
- Hamas confirmed it had agreed to the deal, citing its responsibility to the people of Gaza 'to provide relief and heal their wounds', but warned Israel that 'our hands will remain on the trigger'.
- After weeks of intense negotiations, the news has been welcomed around the world, with China saying it hopes it will 'de-escalate the conflict and ease tensions'.
English (US)