Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, Aug 21, 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
Prince Harry and Meghan to Move Back to Britain With Their Children
Here Is What Can Never Happen in Your Country: Taiwan Is Giving Money to All Its People Because It Collected Too Much Tax
NASA Prepares Infrastructure for Upcoming Commercial Space Milestones
Hong Kong Expands AI Automation for Vehicle and Cross-Border Licensing
US Justice Department Defends Prosecution of Former FBI Director James Comey
Trump Nominates Heidi Overton to Lead the Food and Drug Administration
US Agriculture Department Moves to Roll Back Protections for Old-Growth Forests
US FCC Chairman Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over White House Communications Coordination
Evergrande Liquidators Challenge PwC Settlement With Hong Kong Securities Regulator
Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways Expand Aviation and Cargo Cooperation in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Deploys Artificial Intelligence to Cut Cross-Border Permit Processing Times
Justice Department Defends Criminal Case Against Former FBI Director James Comey
US Supreme Court Takes Up Challenges to Executive Actions on Birthright Citizenship
International Criminal Court Condemns New US Sanctions Against Its Officials
Pentagon Warns Universities Could Lose Defense Funding Over Foreign Research Partnerships
US Federal Reserve Signals Caution on Rate Cuts Amid Energy and Bond Market Volatility
US and European Allies Clash Over Secondary Sanctions on Iran
US Senate Approves Bipartisan Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
CK Hutchison Seeks $1.5 Billion From Panama in Arbitration Over Canal Terminals
China's Wang Yi Urges US to Change North Korea Policy During Seoul Talks
Hong Kong Exchange Reports Record First-Half Revenue on Technology Fundraising and Trading
US and Canada Advance Trade Talks as Deadline for 50% Tariffs Nears
Moderna Shares Surge 145% After Positive Skin Cancer Trial Results
China's Unitree Robotics Surges More Than Sixfold in Shanghai Stock Market Debut
Treasury Doubles Government Debt Buybacks as Bond Yields Remain Volatile
Trump Administration Threatens Secondary Sanctions in Escalation of Economic Pressure on Iran
US National Debt Surpasses $40 Trillion Amid Rising Fiscal Pressures
Russian Missile Barrage Across Kyiv Kills 12 and Wounds 33 as Air Defense Supplies Remain Constrained
Federal Reserve Officials Signal Caution on Rate Changes Amid Energy and Bond Market Volatility
Homeland Security Prepares to Expand Border Enforcement Under Stopgap Budget
Senate Judiciary Committee Plans Accelerated Review of Lower Court Nominees
Congressional Democrats Demand Investigation Into Presidential Legal Defense Funding
White House Unveils Exterior Renovations and New Presidential Helipad
European Allies Push Back Against Washington's Expanded Sanctions Policy
Justice Department Prepares Nearly $2 Billion Legal Fund After IRS Lawsuit Dismissal
White House Domestic Policy Council Expands Oversight of Federal Regulations
Federal Committees Review Ethics of Medical Researcher Backed by Administration Officials
Treasury Prepares Enforcement Rules for New Iran Economic Pressure Campaign
California and Georgia Special Elections Could Further Narrow House Republican Majority
Natalie Harp Gains Greater Influence Over White House Communications Strategy
Firefighter Unions Warn of Severe National Staffing Shortages Ahead of Wildfire Season
Trump Says Traditional Pro-Israel Lobbying Groups Have Lost Influence in Congress
Todd Blanche Takes Over as Attorney General and Begins Justice Department Restructuring
Trump Expands Executive Actions Restricting Birthright Citizenship
Florida Primary Results Set Up Competitive Gubernatorial and Senate Races
Preservation Groups Ask Supreme Court to Halt $400 Million White House Ballroom Project
House Republicans Face Further Pressure as Ethics Probe Tests Narrow Majority
Trump Administration Moves to Roll Back Environmental Protections for Old-Growth Forests
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Faces Scrutiny Over White House Communications Coordination
Senate Passes Bipartisan Stopgap Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown
×