The Israel-Hamas war has devastated the Gaza Strip. Satellite photos offer some sense of the destruction in the territory.

Billions of dollars and decades of efforts needed to rebuild Gaza after the devastation inflicted by Israel since October 2023 - Anadolu Ajansı

Israel's full Cabinet was meeting Friday evening on the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

Gaza’s Health Ministry says more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war, with no end in sight to the 15-month conflict.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it was important to include President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, in the latest round of talks because if a ceasefire can be reached, it will be up to the Trump team in part to ensure it survives beyond Inauguration Day.

At least 80 people have been killed by Israeli air strikes on Gaza, it has been reported. A ceasefire and hostage return deal was reached on Wednesday, but has yet to be ratified by the Israeli parliament. According to authorities in Gaza, 81 people have been killed in the last 24 hours – 188 have been injured.

This will pause the fighting after 15 months of war and see the release of dozens of hostages held by the militants in the Gaza Strip and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem congratulated Palestinians on Saturday over the Gaza ceasefire deal, saying in a speech that it proved the "persistence of resistance" against Israel.

The Israeli cabinet approved the deal Friday, and the full cabinet is expected to convene later in the day to vote on it.

Israel's Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by militants, along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The approval came early on Saturday after a marathon session by the full Cabinet.