In war-ravaged Gaza, many displaced Palestinians do not know if their homes are still standing, thousands are still buried under rubble and dozens are missing after encounters with Israeli forces. Vast areas appear uninhabitable, and it could take decades to rebuild.

Mediators said Israel and Hamas agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire and a deal to release hostages held in Gaza, but Israel cautioned that some final sticking points still needed to be ironed out.A source briefed on the latest talks in Doha told AFP that a "Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal (was) reached following (the) Qatari PM's meeting with Hamas negotiators and separately Israeli negotiators in his office".

A source within the Palestinian Hamas movement has told Newsweek that a long-awaited ceasefire deal has been reached with Israel amid the longest and deadliest-ever war in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas source said the group would address the agreement in an upcoming announcement.