A cease-fire deal, announced by U.S. and Qatari mediators, promises to end more than a year of conflict in Gaza Strip. Some Israeli hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners under the agreement.

Hamas is a Palestinian armed group and political movement in the Gaza Strip. On 7 October 2023 it attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. This triggered a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.

Israel estimates that nearly half of the militants in Gaza are well-organized, with forces spread out across the north and south of the Palestinian territory. According to several experts, the group h