Israel’s security cabinet approved an agreement on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip that would free Israeli hostages, ending two days of debate that had underscored the pact’s fragility. Approval of the multi-phase deal came hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday urged the Israeli government to vote in favor of the ceasefire deal to free hostages and to pause the war in the Gaza Strip.

The full Israeli cabinet passed the agreement during a meeting that continued into the Jewish Sabbath, setting up the first reprieve in Gaza in over a year.

The ceasefire agreement, reached with Hamas, provides for the swap of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Israel’s security cabinet has voted to approve a ceasefire deal to end the fighting in Gaza. Full cabinet approval is expected later today.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday hosted bereaved families, families of hostages, and IDF reservists at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where they presented him with a declaration of support for the ceasefire deal aimed at returning all 98 captives held by terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of “reneging” on parts of the deal, under which Israel would withdraw from some areas of Gaza and obtain the return of hostages.

Qatar's prime minister announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed Wednesday to a ceasefire and the release of hostages held in Gaza, adding he hoped the deal would pave the way for a permanent end to the fighting.

Storyline: Israel and Hamas have achieved a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal after intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced Wednesday at a press briefing in Doha.

The ceasefire in Gaza will start on Sunday and last six weeks, with phases of implementation planned Qatar and the United States announced Wednesday a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas,