Officials representing Israel and Hamas said today that the two sides had agreed to a 42-day cease-fire that would coincide with the release of Israeli hostages who have been held captive in Gaza. The final details are still being worked out, but the tentative agreement raised hopes that there could soon be an end to the war.

The Israeli government must still formally approve the deal, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from some areas of Gaza and the return of hostages taken by Hamas.