In 41 days, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will likely be faced with a choice – move ahead with the next stage of the ceasefire-hostage release deal, or face the collapse of his coalition and an election that could potentially end his time in office.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be flying high. Israel’s enemies across the region have been badly weakened during 15 months of war.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that Israel might not withdraw all of its forces from Lebanon by a deadline set in its ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The ceasefire as agreed to in Qatar is set to last 42 days. Over that period, 33 hostages are expected to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, there will be a slow withdrawal of the Israeli military from urban centers in Gaza and a surge of humanitarian aid.

Even before it was signed, the Gaza ceasefire forced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into a tight spot - between a new U.S. president promising peace and far-right allies who want war to resume.

Hamas confirmed for the first time on Thursday that Israeli killed the head of its military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike last year. Deif was one of the alleged

The office noted that "Israel insists on learning lessons from what happened and is committed to strictly ensuring the safety of the hostages when they are released in later stages"

Red Cross vehicles have arrived at a location in northern Gaza as Hamas is set to free hostages in a ceasefire deal.

Some of the prisoners Israel is expected to release include 30 Palestinians that were given life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis.

According to the statement, the release is delayed until the safe exit of the hostages in the next phases is assured