A Gaza ceasefire agreement has been agreed by Israel and Hamas, a source tells the BBC

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages following meetings with Qatar’s prime minister, a source briefed on the talks told the BBC.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said there were several clauses that had not yet been resolved but hoped a deal could be finalized by Wednesday night. A senior Hamas official earlier said they approved the draft from the Doha negotiators.

US President-elect Donald Trump also wrote on social media: “We have an agreement on hostages in the Middle East.”

The three-phase plan has not been published, but 33 of the Hamas hostages will reportedly be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons within the first six weeks of the ceasefire.

The second phase of talks – which should see the release of remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and “sustainable calm” – will begin in two weeks.

The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of hostages.

Once a deal is announced by Qatar or the US, there will still be several hurdles before a ceasefire and the release of the first hostages.

It must first be voted on in the Israeli cabinet, possibly as soon as Thursday. It is expected to pass, but the national security minister has said he will vote against it.

After that the names of all Palestinian prisoners to be released will be made public by the Israeli government, and the families of any victims will be given 48 hours to appeal.

The Israeli army launched an operation to destroy Hamas following the group’s unprecedented attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were captured.

More than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area. Most of the 2.3 million people have also been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to the struggle to get aid to those who need it.

Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to have died. In addition, there are four Israelis who were captured before the war, two of whom died.