Paul Moss

And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by James Piper and the producer was Stephanie Prentice. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss.

And that's all from us for now, but there'll be a new edition of the Global News Podcast later. If you want to comment on this podcast or the topics covered in it, you can send us an email. The address is globalpodcast at bbc.co.uk. You can also find us on X at Global News Pod. This edition was mixed by James Piper and the producer was Stephanie Prentice. The editor is Karen Martin. I'm Paul Moss.

Until next time, goodbye.

Until next time, goodbye.

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Paul Moss, and in the early hours of Thursday, the 16th of January, these are our main stories. Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, raising hopes there could soon be an end to more than a year of war. The news was met with celebrations in Gaza and relief around the world.

This is the Global News Podcast from the BBC World Service. I'm Paul Moss, and in the early hours of Thursday, the 16th of January, these are our main stories. Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, raising hopes there could soon be an end to more than a year of war. The news was met with celebrations in Gaza and relief around the world.

In other news, Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed the America First agenda at his confirmation hearing in Washington.

In other news, Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed the America First agenda at his confirmation hearing in Washington.

After the withdrawal of foreign aid, many Afghan hospitals are struggling to cope. It might sound strange to say, but there was something strikingly similar about the crowds who gathered in Gaza and in Israel, huddled together, waving flags, faces of hope, both people who'd come together wanting to hear collectively that announcement of a peace deal or at least a ceasefire.

After the withdrawal of foreign aid, many Afghan hospitals are struggling to cope. It might sound strange to say, but there was something strikingly similar about the crowds who gathered in Gaza and in Israel, huddled together, waving flags, faces of hope, both people who'd come together wanting to hear collectively that announcement of a peace deal or at least a ceasefire.

But that said, there is, of course, a profound difference in what exactly they're hoping for. In Israel, it's all about securing the release of the hostages held by Hamas. But what the people of Gaza want is an end to Israel's missile, rocket and artillery attacks, which have killed more than 45,000 people, most of them civilians. So will the deal announced in Qatar deliver all that?

But that said, there is, of course, a profound difference in what exactly they're hoping for. In Israel, it's all about securing the release of the hostages held by Hamas. But what the people of Gaza want is an end to Israel's missile, rocket and artillery attacks, which have killed more than 45,000 people, most of them civilians. So will the deal announced in Qatar deliver all that?

From Jerusalem, here's our correspondent, Jonah Fisher.

From Jerusalem, here's our correspondent, Jonah Fisher.

Israel says that 60 hostages are still alive and being held by Hamas. Around 30 more there are thought to be dead. Among those hoping that their family is closer to being reunited is Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of Omri Moran, who was abducted from his home on a kibbutz. He told my colleague Tim Franks this deal gives no absolute guarantees.

Israel says that 60 hostages are still alive and being held by Hamas. Around 30 more there are thought to be dead. Among those hoping that their family is closer to being reunited is Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law of Omri Moran, who was abducted from his home on a kibbutz. He told my colleague Tim Franks this deal gives no absolute guarantees.

Moshe Lavi talking to Tim Franks. In Gaza, crowds gathered to celebrate as news of the agreement emerged, including in Deir el-Balak in the southern Gazan Strip. Our special correspondent Fergal Keane is in Jordan and considers how a ceasefire deal will be received by Palestinians.

Moshe Lavi talking to Tim Franks. In Gaza, crowds gathered to celebrate as news of the agreement emerged, including in Deir el-Balak in the southern Gazan Strip. Our special correspondent Fergal Keane is in Jordan and considers how a ceasefire deal will be received by Palestinians.

Fergal Keane. That physical well-being will be dependent on a major increase in aid. Juliet Tumar is Director of Communications at UNRWA, the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. As she explained to Tim Franks, the main focus now is on getting supplies in and quickly.

Fergal Keane. That physical well-being will be dependent on a major increase in aid. Juliet Tumar is Director of Communications at UNRWA, the main United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. As she explained to Tim Franks, the main focus now is on getting supplies in and quickly.