The Israel-Hamas war has devastated the Gaza Strip. Satellite photos offer some sense of the destruction in the territory.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official briefed on the deal told Reuters on Wednesday, opening the way to a possible end to a devastating 15-month conflict.

The deal promises the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in phases and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

The deal is expected to deliver an initial six-week halt to fighting that is to be accompanied by the opening of negotiations on ending the war altogether.

Israel and Hamas agreed to pause the devastating war in the Gaza Strip, mediators announced Wednesday, raising the possibility of winding down the deadliest and most destructive fighting between the bitter enemies.

As a ceasefire brought calm to Gaza's ruined cities, Hamas was quick to emerge from the rubble. The militant group has not only survived 15 months of war with Israel — among the deadliest and most destructive in recent memory — but it remains firmly in control of the coastal territory that now resembles an apocalyptic wasteland.

A ceasefire in Gaza began after a nearly three hour delay over Hamas’s list of hostage names on Jan. 19, putting a halt to more than 15 months of war.

Three Israeli women hostages are released in Gaza, with 90 Palestinians set to be freed from Israeli jails in return.

Mughrabi, Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Palestinians headed for the rubble of their former homes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday and Israelis prepared to receive the first hostages still held by Hamas after a ceasefire deal took effect that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought an end to 15 months of war in Gaza, reducing much of Palestine to rubble.