Gazans are curbing their optimism, having experienced other times throughout the war when a cease-fire was thought to be within reach, only for it to fall apart.

Under the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel has agreed to release Palestinians held in Israeli jails in return for freeing hostages taken by the militant group Hamas in their Oct. 7, 2023 attack. There is no final agreement on which prisoners will be released in return for hostages,

Outgoing Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to find a way to accommodate the legitimate concerns" of Palestinians for the long term sustainability of Israel.

Palestinian terrorist group Hamas said on Saturday that the mechanism of the release of Israeli hostages it ho

Several Palestinians expressed hope for peace after mediators announced a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel had been reached.

More than 46,000 Palestinians were killed over the past 15 months, according to the Associated Press, citing figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. About 1,200 Israelis were killed on Oct. 7, 2023, in Hamas' attack and an additional 840 Israeli soldiers were killed. Arab American activists say the Palestinian death toll is higher than reported.

Palestinians in the Middle East and around the world on Jan. 15 celebrated the news of a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

President Biden said in an MSNBC interview that he pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent civilian deaths during the Gaza war. He also defended his steadfast support for Israel.

Officials now say they are closer than ever to reaching an agreement to pause the Israel-Hamas war and release hostages held in the Gaza Strip

Under the Gaza ceasefire deal, Israel has agreed to release Palestinians held in Israeli jails in return for freeing hostages taken by the militant group Hamas in their Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Palestinian health authorities say Israel's ground and air campaign in Gaza killed more than 46,600 people, with just over half of identified victims being women, children or older people.