Israel approved a ceasefire deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas on Saturday that involves releasing hostages in the Gaza Strip, and Israeli forces carried out new attacks in the enclave before the agreement's scheduled start on Sunday.

The deplorable humanitarian conditions in northern Gaza have caused bitter infighting within the Biden administration.

USA TODAY World Affairs Correspondent Kim Hjelmgaard breaks down what a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas means for the conflict going forward. President Joe Biden says farewell to the nation. USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson recaps a busy day of Senate confirmation hearings.

Thousands of people gathered Tuesday night at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square in anticipation of a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says his Cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages until Hamas backs down,

After months of on-off negotiations conducted by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, there is hope that the remaining details of the ceasefire deal will be resolved within hours and could go into effect on Jan.

The complex ceasefire accord between Israel and militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, emerged on Wednesday after months of mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. and 15 months of bloodshed that devastated the coastal territory and inflamed the Middle East.