With the accord bitterly opposed by some Israeli cabinet hardliners, media reports said 24 ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition government voted in favour of the deal while eight opposed it.

According to Reuters, the opponents said the ceasefire agreement represented a capitulation to Hamas.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if it was approved and urged other ministers to vote against it. However, he said he would not bring down the government.

His fellow hardliner, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, also threatened to quit the government if it does not go back to the offensive to defeat Hamas after the first six-week phase of the ceasefire.