On Saturday, sirens and explosions echoed in Jerusalem after a projectile from Yemen was intercepted by Israel

Hundreds marched in Jerusalem on Tuesday against an expected agreement between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Follow NBC News' live coverage as Israel and Hamas reach an agreement on the ceasefire deal after Israel delayed vote.

Hamas remains the dominant Palestinian power in Gaza even after 15 months of Israeli bombardment, holding sway in displacement camps and refusing to surrender.

Hamas is expected to release the first hostages under a Gaza ceasefire deal on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday. If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza,

President-elect Donald Trump's influence over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the defining factor in reaching a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The deal, not yet formally announced, outlines a six-week initial ceasefire phase and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.

The Israeli government on Friday approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas that will see the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian group after more than seven hours of debate, local media reported.

The negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, appear to be making progress after months of failed attempts to achieve a breakthrough.

The agreement follows months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egyptian and Qatari mediators, with the backing of the US.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.