It was Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, when Steve Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a stark message from his boss: It was time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
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."
The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, appear to be making progress after months of failed attempts to achieve a breakthrough.
The deal, not yet formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
President Joe Biden and his top diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had sought closure during his term.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched a high-level delegation to Doha to help seal a hostage and cease-fire deal, according to reports.
Hamas remains the dominant Palestinian power in Gaza even after 15 months of Israeli bombardment, holding sway in displacement camps and refusing to surrender.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said the U.S. wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
A groundbreaking ceasefire agreement between "Israel" and Hamas has been officially signed in Doha, marking a significant step toward ending hostilities in Gaza. Mediated by Qatar and the U.S., the deal includes a prisoner exchange and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Negotiators from Israel, Hamas, the US and Qatar have officially signed their historic ceasefire deal in Doha, but the truce is not expected to be implemented until Monday.
Israel intensified strikes on Gaza hours after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced, residents and authorities in the Palestinian enclave said, and mediators sought to quell fighting ahead of the truce's start on Sunday.