Nir Barka also said that former U.S. President Joe Biden “restrained Israel,” and expressed optimism about support from President Donald Trump.

Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement and hostage deal, although details were still being worked out on Thursday.

Israel's full cabinet has voted to approve a ceasefire deal with Hamas, which will pause the fighting and release dozens of hostages in Gaza.

A man who grew up in Bloomfield and another American are expected to be released as part of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that emerged Wednesday after being held for 15 months

On January 11, Witkoff flew to Israel, securing a meeting with Netanyahu. McGurk called in from Doha. Netanyahu agreed to send the heads of Israeli intelligence and internal security back to Doha for negotiations, which mostly took place in the Qatari prime minister’s private office.

Three hostages have been handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, according to NBC News’ crew in Gaza, and will be making their way to Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza will not begin until Hamas provides the names of the three hostages it is set to release later on Sunday.

That includes members of Congress from Connecticut. “After the horrors of October 7th and 15 agonizing months of war, this ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas is ...

After three days of emotional back and forth, Israel has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas. This would pause fighting in Gaza and allow hostages to be released.

About 90 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel were also freed Sunday as part of a hostage and prisoner exchange, due to last for weeks, between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire has raised hopes the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where almost 47,000 Palestinians have been killed and the enclave has been reduced to ruins, could be brought to an end.

Palestinians in Gaza were cautiously optimistic after President Joe Biden said negotiators were "on the brink" of securing a truce between Israel and Hamas. After more than 15 months of war that has left Gaza in ruins, killed tens of thousands of people ...