Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Aug 18, 2026

Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire and Hostage Release

Israel and Hamas Agree to Ceasefire and Hostage Release

An eagerly anticipated deal signals a possible resolution to the Gaza conflict, with hostages, including Americans, expected to be released.
Hamas and Israel have agreed to a deal to cease hostilities in Gaza with a six-week truce, as confirmed by mediators from the U.S. and Qatar on Wednesday.

The agreement entails the release of numerous hostages, including some Americans, as part of a larger initiative to conclude the 15-month war that has ravaged the area.

Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet officially sanctioned the deal, U.S. President Joe Biden has expressed his approval of this breakthrough following months of challenging negotiations.

Biden, who initially suggested a framework for the agreement in May, commended both the Trump and Biden administrations for their efforts in reaching the deal.

The ceasefire is set to commence on Sunday, featuring the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the increased delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.

During the 42-day period, Palestinian prisoners will also be freed, and further discussions will be held to seek a lasting solution to the conflict.

While Netanyahu has not given full authorization, some of his Cabinet members might oppose the agreement, with internal tensions in his coalition making final approval more complex.

A prior attempt at a ceasefire fell apart due to unresolved key issues. This deal signifies an important moment in a year of complex diplomacy, with negotiations frequently stalling and U.S. officials actively pushing for resolution.

The U.S. has been instrumental in managing the negotiations, with Trump’s team also contributing in the final stages.

Although Netanyahu has shown support for the release of hostages, he has not yet agreed to the wider ceasefire arrangement.

The result of the Israeli Cabinet's vote will decide whether the truce takes effect or negotiations resume.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China’s Lifelike AI Humans Move From Livestreams Into Real-World Service Roles
Trump Administration Unveils Plan to Rebuild US Naval Shipbuilding Capacity
Federal Reserve Officials Warn Inflation and Oil Volatility Could Delay Interest Rate Cuts
US Border Officials Report Fifteen Consecutive Months Without Unvetted Migrant Releases
US Prescription Drug Prices Record Sharpest Annual Decline in More Than Six Decades, White House Says
Trump Threatens Military Action Against Oman Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Trump Orders Pentagon to Scale Back Joint Military Exercises with South Korea
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Appeal in E Jean Carroll Civil Abuse and Defamation Case
Trump Orders Measures to Rebuild US Naval Shipbuilding Capacity
Trump Administration Tightens Restrictions on Foreign-Made Drones and Critical Components
Melania Trump Helps Facilitate Return of Ukrainian Child Separated by War
Second Trump Administration Has Unprecedented Concentration of Ultra-Wealthy Officials, Report Says
Trump and Congress Remain Deadlocked Over Government Funding and Voter Identification Rules
US Border Officials Report Fifteen Consecutive Months Without Migrant Releases
Trump Administration Says Prescription Drug Prices Posted Largest Annual Decline Since 1963
Supreme Court Rejects Trump Bid to Reopen E Jean Carroll Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case
Houthis Claim Attack on Saudi Military and Escort Vessels Near Red Sea Chokepoint
Russia Sentences Prominent Anti-War Opposition Politician to Eleven Years in Penal Colony
Chinese Economic Slowdown Deepens as Consumer Spending and Investment Slump
Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Kill Eleven as Border Conflict Intensifies
Ukraine Targets Moscow with Heavy Drone Assault as Russian Forces Strike Industrial Sites
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan Sign Trilateral Mutual Defense Pact
United States and Iran Miss Diplomatic Deadline as Tehran Threatens Offensive Posture in Strait of Hormuz
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez Sign Prenup Protecting Their Separate Fortunes
Thieves Steal Antonello da Messina Renaissance Masterpieces From Sicilian Museum
Better.com Founder Who Fired 900 Employees on Zoom Is Ousted as CEO
Italian Speed Camera Issues Nearly 32,000 Fines in 10 Weeks, Worth More Than €3 Million
AI Manager at San Francisco Store Recommends Firing Human Employee
Google Launches Pixel 11 With Gemini AI at the Center of Its Hardware Strategy
Lake Powell Falls to Record Low, Threatening Water and Hydropower Supplies Across the American West
United States Retail Sales Post Sharpest Monthly Drop in More Than a Year
Senate Democrats Demand Intelligence Briefings After Reports of Secret Trump Evacuation in Turkey
Jared Kushner Meets Hamas Representatives in Egypt to Advance Gaza Peace Roadmap
United States and Canada Accelerate Talks to Avert Threat of Fifty Percent Tariffs
Trump Renews Effort to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Despite Supreme Court Ruling
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as United States Attorney General in Narrow Vote
Maine Senate Race Becomes Key Democratic Target Ahead of Midterms
Trump Advisers Urge Senate Republicans to Make Healthcare Central to Midterm Campaigns
White House Deputy National Security Adviser Andy Baker Announces Departure
U.S. Press Groups Sue Trump Over Paid Access to Truth Social Statements
Hamas Signals Possible Willingness to Demilitarize Gaza in Backchannel Talks
Trump Orders Pentagon to Scale Back Joint Military Exercises With South Korea
Trump Administration Asks Supreme Court to Clear Way for White House East Wing Expansion
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to Leave Administration at End of August
Ukraine Suspends Black Sea Drone Strikes After Request From U.S. Vice President Vance
Senate Democrats Seek Briefings on Reported Secret Trump Evacuation Over Iranian Threat
Trump Renews Push to Remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook Despite Supreme Court Ruling
Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General After Narrow Confirmation Vote
United States Plans Ultimatum to Partners Over China’s Competing AI Framework
Markets Cut Expectations for Near-Term Federal Reserve Rate Hikes
×