Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of backing out of a cease-fire deal to release hostages and end the war in Gaza, which has raged for more than a year.

The post Israel and Hamas sign hostage-ceasefire deal in Doha after mediators iron out final kinks appeared first on The Times of Israel.

Israel delayed approval of a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and release of hostages, but the United States said it still expected the agreement to go into effect on Sunday as planned.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said the U.S. wanted a ceasefire deal in Gaza and all remaining captives released before Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, appear to be making progress after months of failed attempts to achieve a breakthrough.

Latest news and live updates as a Gaza ceasefire deal is reached after more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas.

The deal, not yet formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

Last minute negotiations between Hamas and Israel on a ceasefire deal delayed the release of hostages by a day.

After 15 months of fighting Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire deal. The deal will begin with an exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to officials.

The deal between Israel and Hamas to release hostages being held in Gaza and begin a ceasefire was officially signed by negotiators in Doha on Thursday, according to two sources familiar with the issue.