Netanyahu’s office says hostage deal has now been agreed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office says an “agreement to release the hostages” has been agreed.

Netanyahu had delayed a cabinet vote on Thursday to approve the Gaza ceasefire agreement, accusing Hamas of demanding last-minute changes to the accord.

On Friday morning, his office said Netanyahu had been informed by the negotiating team that a deal had been agreed upon.

Netanyahu’s office said he has ordered the political-security cabinet to convene later on Friday and the government “will meet to approve the deal”. It said the families of the hostages have been informed.

According to Israeli media reports, representatives of Israel, Hamas, the United States and Qatar officially signed the agreement in Doha.

The ceasefire agreement was first announced on Wednesday by mediators the US and Qatar.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani said the agreement would come into force on Sunday, pending Israeli Cabinet approval.

At the time, Netanyahu said the final details of the deal were still being worked out, but he thanked Biden for “promoting” it.

Netanyahu then delayed a cabinet vote to approve the deal on Thursday and accused Hamas of trying to “demand concessions at the last minute.”

Hamas said it remains committed to the deal, but the BBC understands it is trying to add some of its members to the list of Palestinian prisoners who will be released under the deal.

Although Israeli negotiators agreed to the deal after months of negotiations, it cannot be implemented until it is approved by the security cabinet and the government.