The Israeli cabinet will meet to give final approval to a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Friday.
Israeli warplanes continued intense strikes in Gaza, and Palestinian authorities said late Thursday that at least 86 people had been killed following the announcement of the ceasefire.
The cabinet meeting was delayed, with Hamas blamed for the holdup. However, Netanyahu’s office stated on Friday morning that approval was imminent.
U.S. officials indicated that the agreement was progressing as expected and that the ceasefire was anticipated to begin soon.
A senior Hamas official reaffirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire deal.
Under the deal, a six-week ceasefire and gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces are planned, with Hamas agreeing to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages.
