Throughout the war, there have been several attempts by American, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators to strike a deal, but to no avail. At least 30 of the 101 hostages held in Gaza are presumed dead, and the fate of the others remains uncertain.

The chance for an end to more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and the release of about 100 hostages held by the militants is now “more likely” because of last week’s ceasefire reached by Israel with Hezbollah in Lebanon,

After nearly two months of hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the two sides have agreed a 60-day ceasefire, allowing many of the civilians who have been forced to flee