A Gaza ceasefire agreement has been agreed between Israel and Hamas, a source told the BBC

Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages after meetings with Qatar’s prime minister, a source briefed on the talks told the BBC.

The Israeli prime minister’s office said there were “several outstanding points” but hoped a deal could be finalized by Wednesday evening. A Hamas official previously said the project had been approved by mediators in Doha.

US President-elect Donald Trump also wrote on social media: “We have a hostage deal in the Middle East.”

The three-phase plan has not been made public, but 33 of the hostages held by Hamas will reportedly be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons during the first six weeks of the ceasefire.

Negotiations on the second phase, which should involve the release of the remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and “sustainable peace”, will begin in two weeks.

The third and final phase will involve the rebuilding of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of the hostages.

Once Qatar or the US announce a deal, they still have several hurdles to clear before the fighting is stopped and the first hostages are freed.

It must first be put to a vote in the Israeli cabinet, possibly as early as Thursday. It is expected to pass, but the far-right national security minister has said he will vote against it.

The Israeli government will then release the names of all Palestinian prisoners to be released, and the victims’ families will be given 48 hours to file an appeal.

The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, in which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 people were taken hostage.

More than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry. Much of the population of 2.3 million has also been displaced, there is widespread destruction and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter amid the struggle to help those living in need.

Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to be dead. In addition, there are four Israelis abducted before the war, two of whom are already dead.