Israeli families have gathered in Tel Aviv as they anxiously await the release of the remaining Hamas hostages, while fury builds against Benjamin Netanyahu.
Thousands have gathered in Hostages Square in the days since the ceasefire was hammered out, with a both celebrative and at times combative mood in the air, most notably when they were addressed by Steve Witkoff, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, who helped secure the landmark deal on Saturday evening.
Families are preparing to welcome the remaining 48 hostages home by next week. Hamas has been given a 12pm deadline on Monday - but have become increasingly angry at the Israeli Prime Minister, who they say has sabotaged previous peace negotiations.
Israel vows destruction of Hamas 'terror tunnels'
Israel Katz, Israel's defece minister, has said the "great challenge" after the ceasefire's ratification and partial withdrawal of Israeli troops is the "destruction of all of Hamas’s terror tunnels in Gaza”.
He said in a post on X that the destruction should be carried out by the army and via "the international mechanism to be established under the leadership and supervision of the United States". He added: "This is the primary significance of implementing the agreed-upon principle of demilitarizing Gaza and neutralizing Hamas of its weapons." He added he has instructed the army to "prepare for carrying out the mission".
Foreign secretary says there are 'no plans to send British troops'
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said there are no plans to send British troops to be part of the multinational force that will monitor the truce.
About 200 US troops have arrived in Israel, where they are expected to set up a centre to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid and provide security assistance, the Associated Press reported on Saturday.
Keir Starmer to attend peace summit tomorrow
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to join Donald Trump and other world leaders at a peace summit in Egypt as part of efforts to secure the fragile ceasefire agreed in Gaza.
The Prime Minister will travel to Sharm El-Sheikh for the gathering, which Cairo said would be co-chaired by the US leader and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, on Monday.
A “signing ceremony” for the Gaza peace plan will take place at the event to mark a turning point for the Middle East as the truce enters its initial stages, Downing Street said.
Sir Keir will pay “particular tribute” to Mr Trump and the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in “bringing us to this point” before calling for “swift progress towards phase two”, No 10 said.
Families and friends of the remaining Israeli captives await news
Ahead of Mr Witkoff 's appearance there was palpable excitement and rising nervousness as families and friends of the remaining Israeli captives - all men - awaited news.
There were Bring Them Home flags everywhere, pictures of those held on T-shirts, posters - anywhere people could show their love and need for their return after so long.
The city was abuzz with anxiety over the condition the remaining hostages would be in after two years in captivity, plus psychological and physical torture. Some have reportedly lost up to half their body weight, been blinded or bear scars from chains.
Crowd reacts to Steve Witkoff in Tel Aviv
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv last night, where 100,000 Israelis had flocked.
Greeted by cheers, he told the crowd: "We stand here tonight, Jews, Christians, Muslims and people from every part of the world, united by one shared prayer.
"This is a moment many thought impossible. Miracles can happen."
But at the mention of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's name, there were boos.
'Our friend is a Hamas hostage - I'm so nervous I can't breathe'
Heightened tension in downtown Tel Aviv reached fever pitch on Saturday night as families and friends of hostages to be freed await news of their release.
It is believed 20 hostages taken from Israel on October 7 will be set free, released via the Red Cross, to receive emergency medical exams in three hospitals in Israel.
'Our friend is a Hamas hostage - I'm so nervous I can't breathe'
Police arrest 'small group' after counter protesters breach conditions
Arrests have been made after scuffles between pro-Palestine demonstrators and counter-protesters, police said.
The Metropolitan Police said in a post on X: “A small group of counter protesters breached their conditions by demonstrating at the form up point of the Palestine Coalition protest.
“This led to a scuffle between several individuals from the two groups. Officers were quickly on the scene to separate those involved, making a small number of arrests.”
Hamas recalls thousands of fighters as Israel withdraws troops
Hamas has recalled around 7,000 fighters in its security forces as Israel withdraws its troops from parts of the Gaza Strip.
The IDF has, as part of the ceasefire, withdrawn service members from parts of Gaza City, ceding territory but retaining around 53 percent of control of the area. In response, Hamas has enlisted a large force consisting of new governors from military backgrounds, the BBC has reported citing sources.
Texts and calls sent following the decision reportedly declared the mobilisation saying: “We declare a general mobilisation in response to the call of national and religious duty, to cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel. You must report within 24 hours to your designated locations using your official codes.”
Protesters start marching through central London
Protesters numbering in the tens of thousands have started walking through central London after amassing at Victoria Embankment through this morning.
Police usher people carrying 'we stand with Britain's Jews' placards from pro-Palestine protest
Police have ushered away multiple people carrying placards that said “we stand with Britain’s Jews”, taking them out of the crowd of pro-Palestine protesters.
Shouts of “shame” and “free Palestine” came loudly from the pro-Palestine crowd gathered along Victoria Embankment, which now numbers in the tens of thousands, as they were led away shortly before 12.45pm.
Gazans continue search for bodies as hospitals prepare for hostage arrivals
As Israeli hospitals prepare to receive the first hostages from Gaza, Gazans have launched a major operation to recover the bodies of slain locals from the rubble.
The Hamas-run Civil Defence Agency has launched a major operation in the territory's north, to where hundreds of thousands of people are returning following the ceasefire signing. Rescue and relief missions have so far recovered the bodies of 150 people, it said earlier today.
First pro-Palestine protesters take to streets of London
The first pro-Palestine protesters have been seen on the streets of London this morning bearing placards ahead of the scheduled 2.30pm demonstration time.
UN has enough food to feed Gazans for months
The UN aid agency responsible for feeding Gazans impacted by the war has said there is enough food to feed every Palestinian living on the Strip for three months.
Juliette Touma, the communications director for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) which is back in charge of aid, has said distributing supplies is "absolutely critical in controlling the spread of famine".
The terms of the Israel-Hamas deal will allow up to 600 loads a day of aid to enter the Strip.
US troops arrive in Israel ahead of hostage release
US troops have arrived in Israel as the tense countdown to the long-awaited and dramatic hostages-prisoner swaps continues.
Some 200 American soldiers will help oversee the release of 20 living and 28 dead hostages as close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners get released, including 250 life sentence servers.
More than 100 bodies recovered from Gaza rubble following ceasefire
Gaza medical sources speaking to a local outlet have said that at least 135 bodies have been recovered from under the rubble in Gaza less than 24 hours after the ceasefire came into effect.
Wafa has said the bodies were recovered as part of a major operation, with dozens of people taken to hospitals across the city.
Latest pictures show massive continued movement of Palestinians as they return home
Columns of thousands on thousands of Palestinians continue to march back to their homes in Gaza, with streets thick with locals making the post-ceasefire trip.
Among the throng, smiling locals - some of whom have piled into the backs of trucks - can be seen carrying their belongings as they continue the long journey home.
Massive post-ceasefire pro-Palestine protest to take place in London
Hundreds of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are expected to gather in central London today, a day after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect.
It will be the 32nd national demonstration in support of Palestine since October 2023, according to organiser Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and will see protesters setting off from Embankment at midday for a march ending in a rally in Whitehall from 2.30pm.
They will call for the ceasefire to become a permanent agreement.
Children in Gaza reveal dreams in heartbreaking drawings ahead of ceasefire
One has hopes of being a globe-trotting famous writer. Another wants to be a doctor. A third longs for pizza and ice cream.
These are the heartbreaking dreams expressed by children in wartorn Gaza. They were penned by kids helped by charity Save the Children’s psychosocial support programme in the famine-stricken enclave. It is a place where children can play, offering a space to escape the devastating reality of conflict.
The pictures, published by the Mirror, offer a window into the hopes and dreams of Palestinian children. It comes as Israel and Hamas have agreed to the "first phase" of US President Donald Trump's peace plan to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and prisoners.
Children in Gaza reveal dreams in heartbreaking drawings ahead of ceasefire
Israel Defense Forces carries out strike in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a strike in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, clearly sending a message that a ceasefire in Gaza does not mean that the Israeli military is halting operations across the region.
“A short a while ago, the IDF struck and dismantled Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in the area of southern Lebanon, where engineering machinery used to reestablish terrorist infrastructure in the area they were located,” the IDF said in a statement.
"The presence of the machinery and Hezbollah activity in the area constitutes a violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon. The IDF will continue to operate in order to remove any threat posed to the State of Israel."
Donald Trump shares his hope about the ceasefire
Donald Trump expressed optimism about the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas at a gathering of reporters in the Oval Office. Asked about the ceasefire, Trump said, “I think it’ll hold. Yeah, I think it’ll hold. They’re all tired of the fighting.”
Trump also said he will be speaking at the Knesset in Israel and will travel to Egypt.
Thousands of people could be seen moving north in Gaza after the ceasefire was announced today.
Palestinian people will not be stripped of their weapons
A senior Hamas official, Mousa Abu Marzouk, told Al Jazeera in an interview today that the Palestinian people will not be stripped of their weapons because they are under Israeli occupation.
He did not explain if that was the official position of the group.
The disarmament of Hamas is a key part of the peace plan that Trump has proposed and will likely be one of the most difficult issues to resolve in any future negotiations.
Hamas says it rejects 'foreign guardianship'
Hamas has said tonight that it rejects "any foreign guardianship" for the region, adding they believe Gaza's governance should be an "internal Palestinian matter".
In a joint statement with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), the militant group said: "We are working, in cooperation with generous Egyptian efforts, to convene an urgent comprehensive national meeting for the next step after the ceasefire. This will unify the Palestinian position, formulate a comprehensive national strategy, and rebuild our national institutions on the foundations of partnership, credibility, and transparency."
Foreign secretary says ceasefire 'must be end of the war'
The ceasefire in Gaza must be the beginning of the end of the war, the Foreign Secretary has said.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today Programme, Yvette Cooper said: "This has to be the beginning of the end of the war, and the delivery of a just and lasting peace, of security for Palestinians and Israelis alike.
"We've had two agonising years of suffering, tens of thousands of lives lost, hostages being held far away from their families for two years."
David Miliband says ceasefire 'is being honoured'
The former Labour Foreign Minister - now CEO of the International Rescue Committee charity - told the BBC this evening that aid workers on the ground in Gaza were describing a "mass movement" of people, with the ceasefire appearing so far to be honoured by both sides.
He added that he "deeply realistic about what needs to be done" in the territory, and that it would take a "gigantic effort" by humanitarian agencies like his own in coming days and weeks to ensure everyone who needs aid is able to recieve it.
Melania Trump says she has 'open channel of communication' with Putin
Melania Trump said eight Ukrainian children have been reunited with their families after months of direct talks between her and Vladimir Putin.
The First Lady wrote to the Russian dictator in August and had her husband, Donald, hand-deliver it during their summit in Alaska.
As many as 20,000 children are thought to be held inside Russia following Putin's illegal invasion.
Read more: Melania Trump says eight Ukrainian children reunited with families after she talked to Putin
Cheers heard along road as Gazans head back home
Thousands of Palestinians have been heading along the Al-Rashid road towards Gaza City from Nuseirat today as they return to their homes following the ceasefire announcement.
Some of the crowds were heard chanting “God is great,” cheering and whistling in as they walked on the road along the Mediterranean seafront.
Ibrahim al-Helou, a 40-year-old man from Gaza City displaced in the central refugee camp of Al-Maghazi, told AFP that he "waited for a while" after hearing gunfire along the route yesterday - but was now determined to get home.
He said: "Now, the road has been opened and we have all continued on our way back to Gaza to check on our homes and assess the situation."
Read more:'I'm at the Gaza border - an eerie calm falls as Hamas readies crucial hostage release'
'Let's hope it is peace'
One Israeli onlooker on Camel Hill, where we initially viewed Gaza on Friday, said: “Peace? Let’s hope it is peace. This is the moment we have all prayed for for so long.”
His children stood by beaming, sensing the occasion, although they were too young to appreciate how this war has brought the region to the brink of hell and a wider war.
The man continued: “We came here to see it for ourselves. It seems the bombs and shooting have stopped.”
UN aid to begin flowing into Gaza tomorrow after Israel gives green light
A UN official says Israel has now given the green light for authorities to begin delivering aid into Gaza starting Sunday.
The official was granted anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.
The aid will include the 170,000 metric tonnes currently stored in neighbouring countries like Jordan and Egypt as humanitarian officials awaited permission from Israeli forces to restart their work.
Hostages will be 'deeply scarred', says doctor
Professor Hagai Levine, who will help lead the reception team for the hostages said they may be deeply scarred - both physically and mentally.
He said: “They may be well enough to walk to freedom but underlying medical conditions are likely, possibly including long term cardiac and renal issues.
“We are talking about a lifetime of recovery.
“The psychological and physical stress they have been under for such a long time is also likely to have speeded up the ageing process in some cases.
“We will also have to take care of relatives who have also endured unbearable pressure while waiting for news of their loved ones. Some are close to collapse."
White House blasts Nobel Peace Prize committee over Trump snub
The White House has blasted the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for snubbing Donald Trump.
Steven Cheung, the White House Communications Director, said the committee "proved they place politics over peace" by overlooking the US President for the honour.
"He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will," Cheung wrote on social media.
Asked about Trump's desperate campaigning for the gong, Juergen Warne Frydnes of the Norwegian Nobel Committee said: "In the long history of the Nobel Peace Prize I think this committee has seen any type of campaign, media attention and we receive thousands of letters every year, from people wanting to say what to them means peace.
"This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates and that room is filled with courage and integrity. We base our decision only on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel."
Read more: White House blasts Nobel Peace Prize committee over Donald Trump snub