Three-phased deal will start with the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. If fully implemented, the agreement will see the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Palestinian enclave.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages. Israeli airstrikes, meanwhile, killed at least 72 people in the war-ravaged territory.