“You waved the white flag before Netanyahu!” yelled blogger MAX BLUMENTHAL. Blumenthal is credentialed by the State Department and runs a site accused of downplaying human rights abuses by China, Russia and former Syrian dictator BASHAR ASSAD. “How does it feel to have your legacy be genocide!”

Some American observers assumed that Netanyahu wanted to extend the war into Trump’s term, during which he would have the Republican president’s permission to behave however he liked. These were, after all, like-minded politicians. But that assessment misread the Netanyahu-Trump dynamic.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to start at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday.

As his frosty relationship with President Joe Biden comes to a close, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday had warm words for President-elect Donald Trump for Trump’s participation in a deal that is expected to free hostages held by Hamas since Oct.

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 office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a "deal to release the hostages" has been agreed. Netanyahu had delayed a cabinet vote to approve the Gaza ceasefire deal, due on Thursday, accusing Hamas of seeking last-minute changes to the agreement.

The deal was set to be ratified by Israeli Cabinet on Thursday. But Netanyahu says, without specifying, that Hamas has gone back on several parts of the ceasefire agreement at the last minute.

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.

The plan is for Hamas to hand the abductees to the Red Cross, which will deliver them to Israeli officials in Gaza. The hostages will be evacuated to hospitals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden have spoken in a phone call on the latest efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release in the Israel-Hamas war.

President-elect Donald Trump's influence over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the defining factor in reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.