Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement, after more than 15 months of destructive fighting that Gazan health officials say has killed more than 46,000 people in Gaza. A deal to halt the fighting and release hostages was struck at around noon ET on Wednesday,

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a multiphase ceasefire that commits them to end the war in Gaza, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch said.

Former Israeli diplomat Shahar Azani reacts to the hostage and cease-fire deal reached between Israel and Hamas on ‘Outnumbered.’

As Israel and Hamas edge closer to a possible ceasefire-hostage agreement, a small number of families whose loved ones remain captive in Gaza are saying “No” to a deal.

Qatari and Hamas officials say a last-minute dispute in cease-fire talks between Israel and Hamas has been resolved.

WASHINGTON — More than 15 months into Israel’s devastating war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the two sides have agreed to a cease-fire deal that would pause fighting and free some Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners, according to U.S. officials Wednesday.

Israel and Hamas have agreed a Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal following meetings with Qatar's prime minister, a source briefed on the talks has told the BBC. There was no confirmation from the Israeli government or Hamas, but a Hamas official earlier told the BBC it had approved a draft from Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators.

The deal would pause fighting in the Gaza Strip and begin with an exchange of some of the hostages in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Negotiators have yet to confirm a start date and other technical issues. But if implemented, the first phase of the hard-won agreement would see dozens of hostages freed from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held in Israel.