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Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of a peace plan to pause fighting and release hostages and prisoners held in Gaza, bringing the best hope yet of a definitive end to a bloody two-year conflict that has killed ten of thousands, destabilised much of the Middle East and prompted protests across the world.

Donald Trump announced the agreement on his Truth Social network saying all of the hostages held in Gaza would be released soon and Israel would withdraw troops to an agreed upon line as the first step to a “Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace”.

On the streets of Tel Aviv tearful families of people taken hostage by Hamas hugged, cheered, some popping champagne, as they heard the news. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Gaza reacted to

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