Long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is due to begin at 630am GMT on Sunday – but hostages’ families and Palestinians all fear the deal could fall at the final hurdle

Envoy Steve Witkoff, carrying a message from Donald Trump, broke through the impasse in long-futile cease-fire talks.

Netanyahu’s “framework, not a deal” narrative faces political and strategic tests from inside and outside Israel.

Netanyahu's "fear of Trump is greater than his fear of his extreme right-wing coalition partners," Israeli expert told Newsweek.

The cease-fire-for-hostage deal is scheduled to go into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday, Qatari officials announced earlier Saturday.

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire: 12 hours before the ceasefire was to start, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was treating the ceasefire as temporary. Netanyahu also asserted that he negotiated the best deal possible,

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.

Netanyahu said he will convene with his Security Cabinet on Friday and the Israeli government will then approve the agreement, AP reports.

Israel's prime minister has been accused of prioritizing his own political survival and the unity of his fractious right-wing Cabinet over bringing the hostages home.

A ceasefire in Gaza will start on Sunday, enabling the release of 33 hostages by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinians by Israel. However, Israeli strikes continue ahead of the truce, which aims to end 15 months of conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country retained the 'right to return to fighting if needed' in Gaza.