Palestinians in Gaza are celebrating the announcement of a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement reached between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire, aimed at ending 15 months of conflict, is set to commence on January 19.

U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that the deal includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Of the 94 hostages believed to be in captivity, 34 are presumed dead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had resisted such an agreement for months, facing pressure from right-wing elements within his cabinet who opposed the deal. However, the looming inauguration of U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump reportedly added urgency for both Israel and Hamas to reach an accord.

This violent chapter in the long-running conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on southern Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 251 individuals as hostages. In response, Israel carried out a large-scale offensive on Gaza, resulting in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Despite the ceasefire, significant challenges remain to achieving lasting peace. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, and Hamas has vowed not to forget the suffering inflicted by Israel. International calls are growing for renewed efforts toward a two-state solution, seen by many as the only way to address the deep-rooted conflict that has persisted for over 70 years.

This report was presented on BBC News at Ten, with contributions from correspondents Jeremy Bowen, Sarah Smith, Lucy Williamson, Fergal Keane, and Nick Eardley.

Disclaimer:This video is taken from BBC News.