Hamas' armed wing or al-Qassam Brigades announced on Thursday the killing of its elusive military leader Mohammed Deif and deputy military commander Marwan Issa in combat.

Israel has prevented thousands of Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the terms of a fragile ceasefire by changing the order of hostages it has released.

Hamas is rushing to reassert control over the territory it has ruled since 2007. Its leaders are exuberant—at least in public. In private, they are arguing bitterly. The war has deepened a longtime struggle between the group’s political and military leaders and has saddled it with enormous challenges.

The cease-fire between Hamas and Israel is expected to go into effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced Saturday.

Among those to be freed is Arbel Yehoud, whose release was at the center of a dispute that threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire deal.

Qatar mediated an agreement between Israel and Hamas to release Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud and allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza. The exchange is set for Thursday.View on euronews

Qatar’s foreign ministry says the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) on Sunday.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, said on Wednesday that he welcomed the potential for “a dialogue” with Hamas and heaped praise on Qatar for helping facilitate the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza, despite facing scrutiny for previous ties to the Gulf nation.

Hamas confirmed for the first time on Thursday that Israeli killed the head of its military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike last year. Deif was one of the alleged

The Qataris do not want the PA in the Gaza Strip to rein in Hamas and other terrorist groups, or to prevent attacks against Israel. Instead, they want the PA to act as a front to maintain Hamas's hold

Red Cross vehicles have arrived at a location in northern Gaza as Hamas is set to free hostages in a ceasefire deal.