Gaza ceasefire to begin Sunday after Israel approves deal in marathon cabinet meeting

The families of the Americans believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza spoke with senior members of US President Joe Biden’s administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming national security team Saturday, a source familiar with the discussions said, a day before the ceasefire and hostage release deal is expected to go into effect.

The families met with Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz on Capitol Hill Saturday, the source said. Trump’s pick for special presidential envoy for hostage affairs Adam Boehler also attended.

The hostage families shared their concerns about ensuring the ceasefire and hostage release deal is implemented through the first two phases and asked Waltz for a “commitment to see this through” to return all of the hostages back to their families, the source said. Waltz told the families it is a top priority for Trump’s team and offered a commitment to ensure this happens, the source said.

The families also spoke with Secretary of State Antony Blinken Saturday and held a separate call with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday, the source said.

Seven Americans are believed to be held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Three are presumed to be alive while four others have been confirmed dead but their remains are still being held in Gaza.

CNN previously reported two Americans held in Gaza – Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen – are on the list of hostages to be released in the first six-week phase of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The Israel Defense Forces is preparing for a gradual withdrawal from some areas of Gaza due to the ceasefire and hostage deal expected to come into effect Sunday, a senior military official said.

“We will be adjusting our deployment, and our gradual withdrawal from specific locations and routes from within Gaza, in accordance with the agreement and the political echelons directly,” the official said Saturday.

The official said the IDF’s 162nd Division was currently in the north of Gaza and the 143rd Division was in the south, but did not say how they would be affected. The 99th Division in the Netzarim Corridor — a key buffer zone established by the IDF that bisects the Gaza Strip — would “be gradually moving as the agreement goes on,” the official said.

The official also repeated Israeli warnings to residents not to approach areas where IDF troops are stationed, noting that their whereabouts “will obviously change” as the troops withdraw.

Asked about the details of the phased withdrawals, the official said the IDF had been “planning in recent days and weeks,” but that the “political echelon” would ultimately decide.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks at a news conference in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 16.

President-elect Donald Trump said he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “keep doing what has to be done” while emphasizing his desire to see the war between Israel and Hamas end. He again warned that “all hell will break out” if both parties do not uphold the ceasefire-hostage agreement.

Trump told NBC News in a phone interview on Saturday he plans to meet with Netanyahu “fairly shortly” but declined to share more details about a possible meeting. He said he told Netanyahu “this has to end” but that he should “just keeping doing what you have to do.”

When asked if he was confident hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza would be released as part of the agreement, Trump said, “Well, we’re going to see very soon, and it better hold.” He added that the US will demand “respect” to ensure the agreement will be observed and warned of consequences if it does not hold.

Trump’s incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz and his incoming Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff worked alongside the Biden administration in helping facilitate the ceasefire agreement, which is expected to go into effect tomorrow.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he stuck to three “fundamental principles” in the negotiations that led to the ceasefire-for-hostages deal agreed with Hamas.

First, he said in a televised address Saturday, was Israel’s right to return to war, with the backing of the United States, if negotiations on the second phase of the deal break down.

Secondly, Netanyahu said he fought for a “significant increase” in the number of living hostages to be released in the first stage of the deal. He claimed to have “nearly doubled” that number since discussions in May, but did not specify.

Thirty-three hostages are expected to be released by Hamas in the first stage of the deal, but it remains unclear how many of them are living. Israel has typically included hostages who have died but whose remains have not been returned to Israel among its official hostage tally.

The third principle, according to Netanyahu, was that Israel would maintain full control over the Philadelphi Corridor — the thin strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border — and the security buffer zone surrounding the entire Gaza Strip.

Israel’s continued military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor was previously a sticking point in negotiations, but Netanyahu said Saturday that, “contrary to all the reports I hear from the outside,” Israel was “not only not reducing the forces there — we are even slightly increasing them.”

People attend the funeral of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, on January 3. Human rights organizations, such as Amnesty International in December, have concluded that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that Israel reserves the right to resume fighting Hamas if its ceasefire-for-hostages deal with the militant group falls apart — and that it would have US backing in doing so.

In a televised address made hours before the ceasefire is set to begin Sunday morning, Netanyahu praised the deal, which he said was thanks in part to both the outgoing administration of US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

The prime minister, who faces a growing political firestorm surrounding the deal in Israel, vowed to “achieve all the goals of the war and bring everyone home.”

“This agreement is, first and foremost, the result of the courage of our fighters in battle, and it is also the result of our steadfast stand on Israel’s vital interests. A tough stand in the face of heavy pressures, both from within and abroad,” Netanyahu said.

The prime minister cautioned Hamas to follow the rules of the deal.

Netanyahu said both Biden and Trump had agreed to support Israel’s “right to return to fighting” if Hamas does not abide by the deal. “I deeply appreciate that,” he said.

This post has been updated with additional comments from Netanyahu’s speech.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference in Jerusalem on September 2. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November. He remains wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel will not continue with the ceasefire and hostage deal, set to begin on Sunday, until it receives a list of the names of hostages that Hamas will release.

“We will be unable to move forward with the framework until we receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed. Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Hamas is solely responsible,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office on Saturday.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said that Israel was supposed to receive the list of names of the 33 hostages Hamas will release in the first phase of the deal by 4 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. ET) on Saturday.

Hamas has not yet commented on Netanyahu’s statement.

Netanyahu is expected to address the media at 8:10 p.m. local time (1:10 p.m. ET).

The Israeli military drives vehicles inside Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, on Saturday.

The Israeli military has warned Gaza residents of restrictions and security recommendations for when the ceasefire and hostage deal takes effect on Sunday morning.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will remain deployed in parts of Gaza, the IDF said, advising Gazans to avoid approaching troops.

“Approaching the forces puts you at risk,” the statement read.

It will be forbidden to approach Israeli territory and the “extremely dangerous” buffer zone, the IDF said.

The military also advises Gazans against traveling on the Netzarim Road – a major highway that stretches from north to south across the Gaza Strip – due to military operations there. The IDF said that another update will be issued once movement is permitted.

Other areas that Gazans are advised to avoid are the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor between Gaza and Egypt, as well as the Gaza coastline.

Almost the entire population of Gaza has been displaced in the fighting and many will be trying to return home when the truce begins.

Israel is expected to release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of the ceasefire-hostage release deal which is set to come into place Sunday morning.

The ceasefire deal has three phases, with the first expected to last six weeks and see the release of 33 Israeli hostages. Foreign hostages, including Americans, are expected to be released in addition, a source familiar with the agreement told CNN Friday.

The Israeli government approved the ceasefire deal after deliberating for more than seven hours on Friday into the early hours of Saturday morning.

As part of the resolution approving the deal, the government said on Friday it had approved the release of 737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as well as 1,167 Gaza residents it arrested during its offensive in the territory.

The Prisoners Media Office based in Gaza, however, said in a statement on Saturday that Israel will release 1,737 prisoners, including 120 women and children. Nearly 300 Palestinians serving life sentences will also be among those released, according to the organization.

It is unclear why the two sides have issued different figures. CNN has reached out to both for clarity.

This post has been updated.

A civilian was injured in a stabbing attack in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday, police in the city have said.

According to police, a preliminary investigation shows a “terrorist” armed with a knife entered a restaurant and stabbed a civilian, who was “seriously injured.”

An armed civilian nearby shot and “neutralized” the perpetrator, police said.

Itai Atias, a spokesperson for Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA), said the victim, who was in his late 20s, suffered from a stab wound to his upper body, adding that he has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is in “moderate” condition.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, attends a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 10.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) director-general has hailed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage agreement as “offering great hope” to those held on either side, although he stressed that they would face “complex” health issues that could last for years to come.

“The ceasefire agreement offers great hope that Israeli hostages will be liberated after more than 450 days in Gaza,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X Saturday.

He added that the deal also offered hope to Palestinian prisoners in Israel, saying that those held on both sides will likely have faced, and will continue to face, “complex” health challenges that could take years to address.

The agreement between the two warring sides means that, in a first six-week phase, 33 Israelis taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and held captive for over a year will finally return home.

At Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center (Ichilov), an entire ward has been cleared out and redesigned to receive hostages. Medical complications that hostages are expected to suffer from include malnutrition, sensitivity to light and psychological trauma.

Eli Sprecher, CEO of the Tel Aviv Medical Center, told CNN that a special team has also been set up to address issues of sexual and gender-based violence, and that staff are prepared to run all necessary tests and screenings.

CNN’s Nadeen Ebrahim, Bianna Golodryga and Mike Schwartz contributed to this report.

The Palestinian Civil Defense has congratulated Gazans following the agreed ceasefire-hostage deal set to begin Sunday morning, urging people to still prioritize their safety in the meantime.

“We urge the people of Gaza to prioritize their safety as much as possible. The primary objective of the ceasefire is to protect lives, and nothing else matters more than this,” Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said in a video message on Saturday, advising people to “not to enter areas identified in the terms of the ceasefire agreement until the specified time.”

Basal emphasized those in Gaza City returning to the north of the strip, and those in the south heading towards Rafah or regions along the eastern border to be cautious.

“As is customary, the Israeli occupation often leaves behind military remnants in these areas, which, if disturbed, could result in fatal consequences.”

After hours of deliberation, Israel’s government approved a long-awaited hostage and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas early on Saturday, removing the last remaining obstacle to the deal taking effect on Sunday. Two far-right ministers were among those to vote against the deal.

During the first phase, dozens of Israeli hostages will be exchanged with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Here’s what you need to know about the deal:

Mahmoud Sheikh Abed speaks from Khan Younis, Gaza on Saturday.

Displaced Palestinians say they are hopeful the ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel will go ahead on Sunday as planned, bringing an end to the war that has lasted over one year.

“We hope by the name of God, that today is the last day of war,” Mahmoud Sheikh Abed, a displaced Palestinian from Rafah told Reuters on Saturday.

“We hope that there won’t be any violations of the ceasefire. The people are tired, we are tired from displacement, from illnesses, from starving, from fatigue. We call upon God that this is the last day, and there won’t be violations from resistance or Israeli forces,” he said.

Bilal Al-Nahawani speaks from Khan Younis, Gaza on Saturday.

Bilal Al-Nahawani, another displaced Palestinian from Rafah, echoed Mahmoud’s hopes for the war to end when the ceasefire-hostage deal takes effect on Sunday morning.

“The people of Gaza are tired, starving. Each house has people martyred or injured or detained. It is enough, people in Gaza have suffered a lot,” he said.

Don’t let Israel’s approval of the Gaza ceasefire fool you: There are deep schisms in Israeli politics that could threaten the longevity of the deal.

The ceasefire as agreed to in Qatar is set to last 42 days. Over that period, 33 hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, there will be a slow withdrawal of the Israeli military from urban centers in Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid.

But it is very much not a permanent end to the war, nor does it guarantee freedom for the 65 hostages who would remain in Gaza at the end of this first phase – many of whom are likely dead. That is yet to be negotiated, starting by day 16 of the truce.

Whether any of it comes to pass may be dictated by the vagaries of Israeli politics. The deal to which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed is remarkably similar to a proposal he railed against for almost a year.

Though Hamas is undeniably weakened, Israel has not achieved the “complete victory” that Netanyahu long promised. “We assess that Hamas has recruited almost as many new militants as it is lost,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this week.

Netanyahu’s extremist allies in government are also confused by his sudden about-face.

“I love Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and will make sure that he continues to be prime minister,” Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, said in a statement Friday morning. “But I will leave (government) because the deal that was signed is disastrous.”

Read more here.

Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas.

Kfir Bibas, the youngest hostage taken by Hamas-led militants, would be spending his second birthday in captivity on Saturday, the families of the victims said, describing it as an “unconscionable tragedy.”

It is not known if the toddler is alive. He was 9 months old when he was abducted on October 7, 2003.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the news that the ceasefire-hostage deal had been approved by the Israeli government, but stressed it would not stop until the last hostage is returned.

“This represents a significant and crucial advancement that brings us closer to the moment when we will see all hostages return home—the living to rehabilitate among their families, and the deceased for proper burial.”

It also called for “swift arrangements” to ensure all phases of the deal are implemented.

The forum has organized a rally for Saturday evening to call for the guarantee that all of the hostages remaining in Gaza be returned.

A total of 33 hostages are planned to be released during the first phase of the Israel-Hamas deal, which begins Sunday and is expected to last for six weeks.

Smoke plumes rising from explosions above destroyed buildings in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday following the announcement of a truce amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the military said the ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza will take effect at 8:30am (1:30am ET) on Sunday, confirming a statement given earlier by key mediator Qatar.

“The IDF has been preparing to receive the hostages after their release from Hamas captivity and is operating to provide suitable physical and psychological support, with careful attention to every detail,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday.

“Alongside the agreement and our commitment to bringing home all the hostages, the IDF will continue to operate in order to ensure the security of all Israeli citizens, particularly those in communities near the Gaza Strip,” the statement added.

A missile from Yemen triggered sirens over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Saturday, just a day before a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel is set to take effect in Gaza.

The missile was intercepted by the Israeli military, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. Israel’s Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency services said no injuries have been reported so far.

Yemen’s Houthi militants, who have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and launching missiles at Israel, say they will only halt their actions once Israel’s war in Gaza ends.

A Palestinian man inspects the damage to a tent for displaced people after an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, Gaza, on Friday.

The death toll has continued to mount in Gaza even with the ceasefire due to begin.

Israeli attacks have killed at least 122 people and injured 270 others in Gaza since the ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced on Wednesday, Gaza’s Civil Defense said on Saturday.

The death toll includes 33 children and 33 women, the Civil Defense said, adding that most of the dead were killed in Gaza City.

At least 46,876 people have been killed and another 110,642 people have been injured in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to data from Gaza’s health ministry.

People check the rubble of buildings hit in Israeli strikes the previous night in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Thursday.

As we’ve been reporting, the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal agreed by Israel and Hamas is set to go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET), the Qatari government said Saturday.

Qatar has been one of the key mediators in brokering the deal, along with the US and Egypt.

It is unclear when we will see hostages freed on Sunday, but US officials have previously said that three female Israeli civilian hostages held in Gaza are expected to be released on the first day.

Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, after deliberations among the 33-member cabinet lasted for seven hours and unusually ran into early Saturday morning on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.

The vote gave the green light for the long-anticipated agreement to take effect Sunday and signals a potential new chapter in a bloody 15-month conflict that has enflamed the Middle East.

Here’s what you need to know: