UPDATE - Israeli prime minister to convene government Thursday to approve Gaza deal

ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM ISRAELI PREMIER

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will convene the government on Thursday to approve an agreement reached on Gaza.

"A great day for Israel," Netanyahu said on the US social media company X’s platform.

His remarks came right after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have signed off on the first phase of a US-proposed Gaza deal.

Netanyahu thanked Trump and his team for their "dedication to this sacred mission of freeing our hostages."

"With God's help, together we will continue to achieve all our goals and expand peace with our neighbors," he added.

He later said that with the approval of the first phase of the plan, all Israeli hostages will be brought home.

"This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel. From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved," he said.

Netanyahu said that thanks to the "great efforts" of Trump, this "critical turning point" was reached.

"I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages," he added.