Anthony Albanese said he hoped the deal would allow the Palestinian people the opportunity to rebuild

Anthony Albanese has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, saying Australia will continue pushing for a two-state solution and stressing the need for more humanitarian aid to arrive in the devastated Palestinian region.

Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire deal, the mediator Qatar said on Thursday. The agreement was expected to be officially accepted by Israel after a cabinet meeting on Thursday. A first batch of 33 Israeli hostages captured by Hamas is expected to be released on Sunday in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, and wounded people in Gaza will be allowed to leave for medical treatment.

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