Israel’s full cabinet meets to vote on Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel’s full cabinet convened on Friday evening to discuss a Gaza ceasefire deal after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas and release dozens of hostages.

The security cabinet recommended the deal’s approval earlier in the day, and the full cabinet was expected to approve the ceasefire, which could start as soon as Sunday. The deal has drawn fierce resistance from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, whose objections could destabilise his government.

The cabinet was meeting well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath, a rare occurrence and a reflection of the moment’s importance. In line with Jewish law, the Israeli government usually halts all business for the Sabbath except in emergency cases of life or death.

Israel and Hamas have been under growing pressure from both US President Joe Biden’s administration and president-elect Donald Trump to reach a deal before Trump takes office on Monday.

Mediators Qatar and the US had announced the ceasefire on Wednesday, but the deal hung in limbo for more than a day as Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications 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 whether it would materialise.