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

Netanyahu's "fear of Trump is greater than his fear of his extreme right-wing coalition partners," Israeli expert told Newsweek.

The problem for Netanyahu is Netanyahu. Consumed by the desire to stay in power, he has been wedged between overwhelming public demand for the hostages to be released, and those who keep him in power—his coalition partners.

The deal was set to be ratified by the Israeli Cabinet on Thursday. But Netanyahu says, without specifying, that Hamas has gone back on several parts of the ceasefire deal at the last minute.

Outgoing Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to find a way to accommodate the legitimate concerns" of Palestinians for the long term sustainability of Israel.

Israel's prime minister has been accused of prioritizing his own political survival and the unity of his fractious right-wing Cabinet over bringing the hostages home.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a "deal to release the hostages" has been agreed. Netanyahu had delayed a cabinet vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal, due on Thursday, accusing Hamas of seeking last-minute changes to the agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised President-elect Trump for his role in negotiating a ceasefire between the nation and the militant group Hamas. “From the moment he was elected,

Netanyahu’s “framework, not a deal” narrative faces political and strategic tests from inside and outside Israel.

Earlier on Friday, the Israeli security cabinet had approved the hostage release-ceasefire deal with Hamas and recommended the government to adopt it.

A ceasefire in the Gaza war will begin on Sunday morning (Sunday night NZT), mediator Qatar said, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to bring back “all the hostag