Pact Could Defuse Tensions Across Middle East

Halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza, killed over 46,000 people and displaced most of the tiny enclave's pre-war population of 2.3 million, according to the Gaza authorities.

- FROM A1

That in turn could defuse tensions across the wider Middle East, where the war has stoked conflict in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, and raised fears of all-out war between regional foes Israel and Iran.

With 94 Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza, phase one of the deal entails the release of 33 of them, including all women, children and men over 50. Two American hostages, Mr Keith Siegel and Mr Sagui Dekel-Chen, will be among those released in the first phase, a source said.