Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday his Cabinet won’t meet to approve the agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages until Hamas backs down,

Israeli airstrikes on homes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 17 Palestinians, health officials said Tuesday. Earlier strikes in Gaza killed at least 18 people, including two women and four children, according to local health officials, who said one woman was pregnant and the baby died as well.

Mediators say Israel and Hamas have agreed to a pause in fighting in Gaza and to begin releasing the hostages held there.

Celebrations erupted across Gaza as news spread of an imminent ceasefire announcement, with people rejoicing at the idea of more humanitarian aid coming in, and an end to Israeli airstrikes.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, the US and mediators Qatar have said. Should the Israeli cabinet and government formally approve the agreement, which is yet to happen,

The first of the deal’s three phases will see the release of 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, among other things.