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.

Israel and Hamas reached a cease-fire agreement to bring some of the remaining hostages home and halt the bloodshed after 15 months of conflict.

JERUSALEM: The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal, ahead of a full cabinet meeting expected later on Friday (Jan 17), a statement from the prime minister's office said.

Palestinians in the Chicago area celebrated with joy as fireworks lit up the sky on Wednesday night after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, ending the 15-month war.

Jews and Palestinians in Chicago expressed cautious optimism Tuesday to a ceasefire deal reached by Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire and hostage release agreement will halt more than a year of fighting in the Gaza Strip,

The deal was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 15, but the Israeli cabinet has so far delayed ratification, citing concerns.

People celebrated in the streets of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday following the announcement by mediators that a ceasefire deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas.