Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the long-awaited cease-fire deal slated to begin Sunday morning will be put on hold unless Hamas shares the names of the first hostages to be released.

Sunday’s delayed start to the truce was a minor problem compared with the difficult choices and American leverage needed to get both parties to the second phase, which could end the war.

Hostage deal signed • Suspected terror ramming in West Bank • Israel kills Oct. 7 Nukhba terrorist in Gaza airstrikes, hits over 50 terror sites

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

Qatar’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will go into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the assault on Jenin would be “extensive and significant,” as the military erected new checkpoints across the West Bank.

Gvir, claimed to have scuppered similar agreements over the past year. But, the prime minister has blamed Hamas for the failures.

Israel's top general on Tuesday became the highest-ranking official to resign over Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack, the worst security failure in the country's history.

Officials close to the matter told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad -- David Barnea -- arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a critical round of talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Friday with security officials to discuss Gaza ceasefire talks, an Israeli official told The Associated Press.

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that Israel is treating the ceasefire with Hamas as temporary and retains the right to continue fighting if necessary.Speaking to

The Biden administration is putting pressure on a deal before the inauguration, which will see President-elect Donald Trump return to the White House.