Maine U.S. lawmakers are welcoming Wednesday’s news of a ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas. The agreement calls for a 42-day ceasefire, although there have been some last-minute snags.

Senator Susan Collins called it a welcome announcement. “Today’s ceasefire and hostage agreement is a welcome announcement,” said Collins. “While there is much about the agreement and the future that we do not yet know, what we do know is that the tragedy of October 7 can never be allowed to occur again.”

1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is calling the ceasefire a promising step forward.

“I am relieved that after 467 days of fighting, over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, more than 2,000 Israeli deaths, and unfathomable destruction and devastation, Israel and Hamas have reached a long overdue agreement to cease hostilities and release hostages,” Pingree said. “This could not have been achieved without tireless diplomatic efforts to bring both parties to the table, and I am grateful the Biden Administration got this agreement across the finish line before leaving office….I remain cautiously optimistic, but this is a promising step forward.

2nd District Congressman Jared Golden says the agreement represents “good first steps.”

“For more than a year since the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks, innocent Americans and Israelis have been held hostage by Hamas,” Golden said. “The first stage of this agreement calls for an immediate ceasefire, a surge of aid into Gaza, and the release of 33 women, children, and elderly currently held hostage by Hamas — each good first steps. I look forward to the implementation of a final agreement that ensures that all remaining hostages are returned home to their families and that Hamas lays down the weapons it took up when it started this conflict. If Hamas abides by the terms of such an agreement, I believe there can be a path towards a more lasting peace in the region.”

Senator Angus King has not released a formal statement of the ceasefire agreement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that a “last-minute crisis” with Hamas was holding up Israeli approval of a long-awaited ceasefire that would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages.

Netanyahu signaled there were issues with the deal shortly after U.S. President Joe Biden and key mediator Qatar announced it was complete.

The Israeli Cabinet is expected to vote on the deal Thursday. But Netanyahu’s office said they won’t meet until Hamas backs down, accusing it of reneging on parts of the agreement, without elaborating.

(Associated Press contributed to this story)