Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Security Cabinet late Thursday to approve a pause in the devastating two-year war with Hamas, ahead of a government meeting to approve the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Under the plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, Hamas will release all 20 living hostages in the coming days in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.

Both the ceasefire deal and the release of prisoners are expected to pass with wide margins, even if far right ministers vote against it.

Israeli Minister of Settlements Orit Strock said in signing the agreement Netanyahu had "outsourced the removal" of Hamas.

"Has he given up on the goal of this war? A goal which so many have fought for which meant we received the October 7th attacks. Are we going back? Back to fight? Back to destroying Hamas?" she asked.

Gila Gamliel, Israeli Minister of Science and Technology, was more positive, describing the deal as "sacred work."

"It is truly sacred work that will eventually lead to phase one, which will lead to the primary goal of the war: to bring all our hostages back," she said.

AP video by Moshe Edri