The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

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

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.

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

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,

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.

Major airlines are planning to reinstate flights to the Middle East following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Over the last 15 months of conflict, several Western carriers pulled out of flights to Israel, Jordan and Lebanon as missile attacks closed skies over Iraq and Iran in unpredictable airspace.

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.

A team of doctors in Israel is preparing for the return of the hostages from Gaza with the expectation that many are likely to have severe, life-threatening complications from spending more than a year in captivity.

Israel's Cabinet has approved the Gaza ceasefire deal that would pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages held by militants, along with Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The approval came early on Saturday after a marathon session by the full Cabinet.

Germany's Lufthansa Group is set to resume flights to and from Tel Aviv in Israel from Feb. 1 and Wizz Air restarted its London to Tel Aviv route on Thursday, the companies said following a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.