Politics | Jan 18th 2025 Edition

Mediators in Qatar announced a six-week ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, coming into effect on January 19th. There were quibbles about the details on both sides, and the deal is opposed by Israel’s far-right parties. But if all goes according to plan the militants will release 33 of the remaining 98 hostages (half of whom may be dead) in the first phase of the ceasefire in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Over 1,000 Israelis and tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in the fighting.