A ceasefire hangs in the balance

After months of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement. But its fate is already in doubt.

If the agreement takes effect as planned Sunday, an initial 42-day ceasefire would bring Gaza’s residents some relief from Israeli attacks that have killed more than 46,700 people there, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry’s toll does not distinguish between civilians and militants.

In exchange, Hamas has agreed to release 33 of the hostages it kidnapped during its Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel.

The status of the deal is not certain: On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office cast doubt on whether it would be formally approved. Meanwhile, Israeli strikes have killed at least 77 people in the Gaza Strip since the deal was announced, according to Gaza’s civil defense spokesman. At least 25 women and 21 children were reported to be among the dead.

Today on “Post Reports,” correspondent Claire Parker joins us from Jerusalem to talk about the factors that finally led to a ceasefire agreement – and what the road ahead could look like.

Today’s show was produced by Ariel Plotnick with help from Emma Talkoff. It was edited by Monica Campbell with help from Maggie Penman and mixed by Sam Bair.Thanks to Heba Farouk Mahfouz, Miriam Berger, Erin Cunningham and Alan Sipress.

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.