WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has ended his predecessor's hold on sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, lifting a pressure point that had been meant to reduce civilian casualties during the U.S. ally's war with Hamas in Gaza that is now halted by a tenuous ceasefire.

By Steve Holland, Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican President Donald Trump said on Saturday he has instructed the U.S. military to release a hold imposed by Democratic former President Joe Biden on the supply of 2,

President Joe Biden confirmed U.S. hostages would be released as part of the first phase of the deal, negotiated with the help of the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar.

US President Joe Biden has confirmed a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has been reached. "This deal will halt the fighting in Gaza, surge much needed-humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians, and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity," he said in a statement.

The Trump White House instructed the Pentagon to release the hold imposed by the Biden administration on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, three Israeli officials told Axios. Why it matters: President Biden's decision to halt the delivery of one shipment of 2,