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

In a speech as Israel awaited the release of the first hostages on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said both president Joe Biden and Donald Trump, the president-elect, had promised him Israel had the right to resume the fighting “in new ways and with very great power” if Hamas violated the deal.

The Israeli prime minister has to navigate complicated domestic politics with his aim of destroying Hamas and the need to keep the US on side.

IDF Chief Herzi Halevi announced his resignation, citing responsibility for Oct. 7 attack failures. His departure intensifies calls for accountability, placing pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Israel's top general on Tuesday became the highest-ranking official to resign over Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack, the worst security failure in the country's history.

Officials close to the matter told ABC News on Sunday that a high-level Israeli delegation led by the head of the Mossad -- David Barnea -- arrived in Doha, Qatar, for a critical round of talks.

Israel has not yet received the list of which hostages will be released, warning that Israel wouldn't move forward with the ceasefire if this was not received, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday. "Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas," Netanyahu said in a statement.

President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call on Sunday to discuss the ongoing ceasefire and hostage release negotiations.

TEL AVIV, Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a deal to return Hamas-held hostages in the Gaza Strip has been reached. The announcement came a day after Netanyahu’s office said there were last-minute snags in talks to free hostages in return for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted a truce deal with Hamas, leading to a significant development in the ongoing conflict. As part of the agreement, Hezbollah fighters will be released from Israeli custody,

The battlefield in Gaza also is changing. The first phase of the ceasefire allows Gaza’s nearly 2 million displaced people to leave crowded tent camps and return to what remains of their homes. This will allow Hamas to regroup in the midst of masses of civilians.