Trump's Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal sparks celebration; Gaza governance remains unclear

The previous ceasefire lasted from Jan. 19 to March 18, when Israel resumed military operations in Gaza.

President Donald Trump's announcement that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire deal was widely welcomed Thursday by world leaders, the families of hostages and Palestinians who have endured more than two years of war.

But huge questions remain about whether Trump's 20-point plan can successfully resolve the long-term future of the Gaza Strip, with uncertainty over its directive for Hamas to disband, as well as the governance of the shattered enclave.

The plan, which was mediated by Qatar, Turkey and Egypt, will also need formal agreement at 5 p.m. local time Thursday (10 a.m. ET) by Israel's government, an Israel official briefed on the matter told NBC News. That does not appear a sure thing, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich vowing to vote against it.

A spokesperson for the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that a ceasefire would then take effect 24 hours after the Cabinet had agreed the deal and hostages would be released after 72 hours.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to President Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion in the State Dining Room of the White House on Wednesday.Anna Moneymaker / Getty ImagesTrump said in a social media post Wednesday that the sides had taken the "first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace," calling it "a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding nations, and the United States of America."