War zones are no place for children, the most vulnerable victims of armed conflicts who are sometimes forced to fight others’ battles

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are eager to leave miserable tent camps and return to their homes if a long-awaited ceasefire agreement halts the Israel-Hamas war.

Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip expressed their hope and joy over news of a potential ceasefire deal after mediators said Israel and Hamas were at the closest point yet to sealing an agreement.

Civil Defense teams, members of public rush to extinguish fire that broke out in tents of displaced people - Anadolu Ajansı

Qatari and Hamas officials say a ceasefire has been reached to pause Israel's war in Gaza and release dozens of hostages.

A strike in Bureij, a Palestinian refugee camp located in the central Gaza Strip, on Monday night killed at least three people, including two women. (AP Video Production by Wafaa Shurafa)

The Israeli Cabinet will convene early Friday to ratify a cease-fire and hostage exchange deal with Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media on Thursday. The Israel Broadcasting Authority KAN reported the developments on X, citing an official. The agreement, announced by Qatar on Wednesday, is set to take effect Sunday.

President Biden and President-elect Trump are each seeking to claim credit for the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and release of Israeli hostages.

Doctor Khaled al-Saidani checks a patient at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Doctor Khaled al-Saidani is seen at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah city, central Gaza Strip, on Jan. 9, 2025. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

In war-ravaged Gaza, many displaced Palestinians do not know if their homes are still standing, thousands are still buried under rubble and dozens are missing after encounters with Israeli forces. Vast areas appear uninhabitable, and it could take decades to rebuild.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a "last minute crisis" with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited agreement to pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.