Waiting for news this week of whether a ceasefire deal between Hamas and the Israeli government must have been agonising for the people of Gaza and for the families of hostages taken in the attack of October 7. All week the talk was that a deal was in the very final stages of negotiation. It would be soon, we were told.

Israel's government voted to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. The deal will begin on Jan. 18.