Residents in Gaza have described the “unlivable” conditions they returned to after Israel’s two-year war against Hamas, which the UN says destroyed more than 90 per cent of residential buildings in the territory.

The Israeli military said a ceasefire in Gaza came into force at 12pm local time (10am BST) on Friday, after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a peace deal unveiled by Donald Trump.

Under the first phase of the deal, all 20 living Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be freed in exchange for around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Widespread aid distribution is also expected to resume across the Strip. New Feature

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Two hundred US troops will arrive over the weekend to set up the base that w

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