Israel's government has approved the new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, paving the way for it to take effect on Sunday. The decision came after hours of discussions that continued late into the night. Two far-right ministers voted against the deal.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend their ceasefire until Feb. 18 to give Israeli troops more time to withdraw, the Trump administration said Sunday, while a Gaza dispute with Hamas over a hostage was resolved.

Just when it seemed like that at long last peace had come to Gaza, it now looks as if the wheels might be coming off the ceasefire agreement before the ink is dry. As a reminder, Israel and Hamas approved a ceasefire-hostage agreement on 15 th January this year.