Live: At least 137 people killed by Israel recovered from rubble in Rafah

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in a statement. 

"After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for," he wrote. 

"The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since can now finally return to their families," he said. 

"For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid, which is so desperately needed," he added. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday "after more than a year of strenuous efforts mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States". 

The Egyptian leader said that Cairo would focus on surging "urgent humanitarian aid" to the people of Gaza. 

Hamas released a statement on Wednesday confirming its acceptance of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. 

The group said the deal, after 15 months of war, was possible because of “the legendary steadfastness of the great Palestinian people and the valiant resistance in the Gaza Strip”.

Fighters belonging to Hamas's armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades, have been filmed celebrating in the Gaza Strip, wielding automatic weapons and the group's flag amid cheering crowds. 

The fighters appeared in uniforms, driving around openly in a white van among crowds of Palestinians. 

Israel's war aim was the "total eradication" of Hamas.

US President Joe Biden said there will be a "full and complete" ceasefire in phase one of the Gaza deal announced on Wednesday. 

"Fighting in Gaza will stop, and soon the hostages return home to their families," Biden said.

Biden said that the ceasefire was the "exact" same one that he had introduced in May 2024. 

He also noted that the incoming Trump administration would implement the deal. 

A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel will take effect on Sunday, 19 January, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced on Wednesday. 

A process is underway to re-open the Rafah crossing to allow international aid into Gaza, Egyptian state media reported on Wednesday. 

The report said Egypt is preparing to bring in the "largest possible amount of aid into the Gaza Strip". 

Thousands of Palestinians in the decimated Gaza Strip came out on Wednesday to celebrate news that a ceasefire and hostage release deal had been reached between Israel and Hamas. 

Celebrations have erupted across the besieged enclave, including in Gaza's Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis, where thousands of Palestinians flooded the streets, flashing peace signs and waving the Palestinian flag. 

Palestinians have endured 15 months of ferocious Israeli bombardment and attacks, which have killed at least 46,584 people. 

President-elect Donald Trump has lauded the "epic" ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, saying it would not have happened without his return to the White House. 

In a social media post that beats the Biden administration, Israel and Arab mediators in announcing the deal, Trump said, "we have achieved so much without even being in the White House", taking credit for the ceasefire. 

He vowed to expand the Abraham Accords and prevent the Gaza Strip from becoming a "terrorist safe haven". 

​​​​​The Israeli security cabinet is expected to meet at 11am on Thursday to approve the ceasefire deal with Hamas, Israeli media reported on Wednesday. 

Israel's military and Shin Bet intelligence service confirmed on Wednesday that they carried out an attack on Jenin, the northern occupied West Bank city that has been the site of fierce fighting between the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian resistance fighters. 

The Palestinian health ministry said on Tuesday that six people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Jenin refugee camp. 

President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that a hostage deal in Gaza has been reached. 

"We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East. They will be released shortly," Trump said on social media. 

Around 250 Palestinians who were sentenced by Israel to life in prison will be released in a hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel as part of the ceasefire agreement, Al Jazeera reported on Wednesday. 

In total, around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released in the deal.  

The looming ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will last six weeks, with Hamas releasing three hostages every week, according to Reuters. 

Hamas will release female hostages and those under 19 years old first, followed by men over 50. 

Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each hostage released and 50 for each Israeli female soldier. 

Hamas will release a total of 33 hostages during the first phase, including all women (including soldiers), children and men over 50. 

Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is meeting with Hamas officials in his office, Reuters reported, in a final push toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal in the Gaza Strip. 

The meeting comes amid conflicting reports of the talks' status.

Hamas said it has accepted the ceasefire proposal. 

Several Israeli news sites, including Haaretz, have reported Hamas made a last minute demand that is "unacceptable" to Israel.