Israels cabinet recommends approval of Gaza ceasefire deal – National [Video]

Israel’s security Cabinet recommended approval on Friday of a ceasefire deal after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month conflict with Hamas in Gaza and release dozens of hostages held by militants there.

Mediators Qatar and the U.S. announced the ceasefire on Wednesday, but the deal hung in limbo for more than a day as Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute snags he blamed on Hamas.

The militants maintained they were “committed” to the deal, while residents of Gaza and families of the hostages anxiously waited to see if it would materialize.

The deal now goes to the full Cabinet of ministers for final sign-off. It is expected to OK the ceasefire, which could start as soon as Sunday, even though it has drawn fierce resistance from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners. Their objections could destabilize his government, however.

Hamas triggered the conflict with its Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack into …