Now he was sitting with his fellow ministers to discuss how to bring to an end two years of hostilities that had reduced much of Gaza to a charred wasteland—but had left Hamas still standing. At Netanyahu’s invitation,

Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release some hostages and prisoners in an agreement that was first put forward by President Donald Trump.

Israel assesses that Hamas may not be able to find and return all the remaining dead hostages in Gaza, according to three Israeli sources, a fact that may complicate efforts to reach a deal to end the war.