Israel, Hamas Reach Deal to Release 50 Hostages

Israel said it agreed to a deal with Hamas to free 50 civilian hostages held by militants in Gaza in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and a series of pauses in the fighting.

The agreement, achieved after weeks of painstaking negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., marks the first major diplomatic breakthrough since the war began on Oct. 7.