President Biden said in an MSNBC interview that he pushed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent civilian deaths during the Gaza war. He also defended his steadfast support for Israel.

The outgoing U.S. President, Joe Biden, on Thursday urged the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to find a way to address the legitimate concerns of Palestinians for the long-term sustainability of Israel.

Several Palestinians expressed hope for peace after mediators announced a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel had been reached.

Israeli government approves ceasefire agreement. Ceasefire to begin in Gaza Sunday morning, hostages to be released in the afternoon.

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 says a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday accused Hamas of backing out of a cease-fire deal to release hostages and bring a pause to more than a year of fighting.

Outgoing Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has to find a way to accommodate the legitimate concerns" of Palestinians for the long term sustainability of Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement it is "ready to help implement the agreement reached by the parties and bring hostages and detainees home," as mediators and combatants in Gaza prepare for Wednesday's ceasefire deal to come into effect on Sunday.

Israel's cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.

Israel's full Cabinet is meeting on 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.