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

The announcement came as the United States pressures Israel and Hamas to continue a ceasefire that has paused a devastating 15-month war in Gaza.

Wadi Gaza, Gaza Strip – U.S. President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House on Feb. 4 as the first foreign leader to visit in Trump's second term, Netanhayu and the White House said Tuesday.

Just 12 hours before the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is supposed to go into effect, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said it would not go forward until Hamas made good on its agreement to provide a list of hostages they’re going to release.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he plans to speak to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and that Netanyahu would be traveling to Washington to meet with him. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says President Donald Trump has invited him to visit the White House on Feb. 4

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said that final details were still unresolved, but that it hoped “details will be finalized tonight.”

President Trump’s Middle East envoy is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on Wednesday, according to a spokesman for Mr. Netanyahu. The visit by the envoy, Steven Witkoff, was set to take place as Israeli and Hamas officials prepared for a new round of negotiations aimed at cementing the current cease-fire in Gaza and allowing more exchanges of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli PM Netanyahu will be the first foreign guest to visit the White House during President Trump's second term