Dhaka, March 21 -- Palestinian health authorities say Israel's ground and air campaign in Gaza killed more than 49,600 people, with just over half of identified victims being women, children or older people.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal to halt the fighting in Gaza and exchange Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, an official briefed on the deal told Reuters on Wednesday, opening the way to a possible end to a 15-month war that has inflamed the Middle East.

Gaza's Health Ministry says 506 Palestinians, including 200 children, have been killed and 909 injured in the enclave since Israel shattered the ceasefire on Tuesday.

At least 85 people have been killed and 133 injured in the war-torn territory since dawn alone, accordin...