Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that Israel's negotiating team had finalized a deal on the release of hostages held in Gaza.

Ceasefire in Gaza that was expected to begin today hit delays, possibly stalling the hostage release; the Israeli military continued attacks

Envoy Steve Witkoff, carrying a message from Donald Trump, broke through the impasse in long-futile cease-fire talks.

President-elect Donald Trump's influence over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the defining factor in reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Netanyahu's office said Thursday his Cabinet won't meet to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas backs down from what it called a "last minute crisis."

Long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is due to begin at 630am GMT on Sunday – but hostages’ families and Palestinians all fear the deal could fall at the final hurdle

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a last-minute dispute with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.

Hamas is expected to release three hostages later on Sunday in exchange for scores of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

It remains unclear whether the six-week truce will lead to a permanent cease-fire and the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, or if fighting will resume.

Hours before a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is expected to go into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the first phase of the agreement "temporary" and said Israel reserves the right to resume fighting.

The cease-fire-for-hostage deal is scheduled to go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday, Qatari officials announced earlier Saturday.