<p><i>Israel National News</i> is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of the start of Shabbat in North America, where they are being written now.</p><p>Updates will resume Saturday night from Israel, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 17:39 Jerusalem time.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p>

Minister of Culture Miki Zohar stated: "After I learned the details of the deal, I was convinced that Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump insisted on the fundamental principles critical to Israel's security and more is unknown than is known."

<p>The General Cabinet has convened to discuss the ratification of the hostage deal with Hamas.</p>

<p><i>Israel National News' </i>Israel desk is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of Shabbat. Jerusalem candle lighting time is 16:20 on Friday. Our North American desk will keep you informed until the 16:38 EST candle lighting time in New York.</p><p>The updates from Israel will resume Saturday night, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 17:39 in Jerusalem.</p><p>Shabbat Shalom!</p><p> </p><p> </p>

<p>As the Cabinet meeting discussing the hostage deal continued into Shabbat, female ministers left the meeting for the lighting of Shabbat candles, along with the employees of the Prime Minister's office.</p><p><i>(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>Former CIA analyst Asif Rahman admits to leaking highly classified records detailing Israeli military preparations for a retaliatory strike on Iran, reversing his earlier denial of the charges.</p><p><i>(Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)</i></p>

<p>The Prime Minister's Office announced that after examining all the diplomatic, security, and humanitarian aspects, and with the understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the war's objectives, the Security Cabinet has recommended that the General Cabinet ratify the hostage deal.</p><p>The Cabinet will convene later today.</p>

President Isaac Herzog tweeted to welcome the decision to approve the hostage deal and appealed not to let the deal divide the nation.