CAIRO (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet has approved the “outline” of a deal to release hostages held by Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said early Friday.

The faces of the hostages being held in Gaza stare down from every street corner in Israel on posters now sun-faded and ripped

After their loved ones were kidnapped in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, the families of hostages have been thrust into a thankless battle for their freedom.

Just before an Israel-Hamas ceasefire went into effect Friday, senior U.S. officials shared a timeline of the Trump administration's months-long effort to put together a deal to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

The Middle East crisis came to an agreement as peace talk escalated between Israel and Gaza brokered by Trump ending the Gaza war. The hostages in Gaza are set to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners,

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won cabinet approval for the first phase of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas. President Trump said hostages held in Gaza would be released early next week.

President Donald Trump on Thursday credited several Middle Eastern and global leaders for helping secure the first phase of a deal in hopes of ending the two-year war.