London flights to Tel Aviv resume after Gaza ceasefire agreement - Airlines and travel companies cautiously welcome news of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached, after his office had said earlier there were last minute snags in finalizing a ceasefire that would pause 15 months of war.

Thousands of people gathered Tuesday night at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square in anticipation of a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Wizz Air was one of the first major European airlines to return to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), Israel’s main gateway. The low-cost carrier resumed flights on several routes in the past few days while continuing to operate others for weeks.

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

Germany's Lufthansa will resume flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel from Feb. 1, the airline said on Thursday after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was announced by mediators. However,

U.S., Qatari and Egyptian mediators shuttled between the Israeli and Hamas delegations in Doha on Tuesday, where officials said a deal to halt the war is near.

TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a deal to return Hamas-held hostages in the Gaza Strip has been reached. The announcement came a day after Netanyahu’s office said there were last-minute snags in talks to free hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israel's full Cabinet was meeting Friday evening on the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by Hamas militants along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.