Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said he will convene his security cabinet Friday and then the government to approve the agreement.

The proposed terms, which include the release of hostages and at least a temporary pause in fighting in Gaza, were agreed to by the Israeli and Hamas negotiating teams, the Israeli prime

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office postponed a cabinet meeting to approve a cease-fire and hostage release deal with Hamas indefinitely, accusing the group of going back on parts of the agreement.

Netanyahu's office said Thursday his Cabinet won't meet to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas backs down from what it called a "last minute crisis."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a last-minute dispute with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached, after his office had said earlier there were last minute snags in finalizing a ceasefire that would pause 15 months of war.

Israel’s Cabinet won’t meet to approve an agreement for a ceasefire due to a “last-minute crisis" with Hamas holding up approval," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Here's what to know.

Israel's government on Saturday approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which will go into effect on Sunday, January 19, and includes a series of hostage exchanges.

Israel approved a cease-fire agreement with Hamas early Saturday, setting up the first reprieve in Gaza in over a year. Palestinians have celebrated the truce with the hope that it will finally end the devastating 15-month war, and Israelis are anxiously awaiting the return of scores of captives abducted by Hamas.

Netanyahu says hostage release to begin Sunday as cabinet meets to approve deal - Netanyahu’s security cabinet is meeting to approve the deal ahead of a wider government vote on Saturday