The Israeli Security Cabinet and government are set to convene on Thursday to approve a landmark Gaza ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.

The Security Cabinet meeting is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. local time, followed by a broader government meeting, according to an Israeli government official. The deal is expected to gain a majority in both the Cabinet and the government, despite opposition from two key parties within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has urged the government to approve the ceasefire, calling it “the right, important, and necessary move” in a public statement.

The truce agreement aims to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza, which began over a year ago and has caused widespread devastation in the region. A key part of the deal includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners.

Hamas, which seized 251 hostages during its attack on Israel in October 2023, is still holding 94 individuals captive. However, Israeli intelligence suggests that only 60 of them are still alive. As part of the agreement, Israel is expected to release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, some of whom have been incarcerated for years, in exchange for the hostages.

US President Joe Biden confirmed the breakthrough in a briefing on Wednesday, expressing optimism about the agreement. “It is a very good afternoon now,” he said. “Soon, the hostages will return home to their families.”

The agreement includes a full ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the release of hostages held by Hamas. In return, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners.

The truce marks a significant turning point in the conflict, which has deeply impacted the Middle East. The deal has been hailed as a critical step toward restoring peace and stability in the region.