Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged controversy over his handling of the Gaza ceasefire deal on Sunday but called for the imminent release of hostages to be a moment of unity.

“This is an emotional evening, an evening of tears, an evening of joy, because tomorrow our children will return to our borders,” Netanyahu said, quoting a biblical verse.

“Tomorrow is the beginning of a new path – a path of rebuilding, a path of healing and, I hope, a path of united hearts,” he said, in a televised address.

Some of the families of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas have criticised Netanyahu for allegedly prioritising military victory over their release.

On Saturday, when US envoy Steve Witkoff praised Netanyahu’s leadership in front of a rally called in solidarity with the relatives, some in the crowd booed.

But the Israeli leader has also come under fire from the right, including from hardline members in his own cabinet, for agreeing to a prisoner exchange.