Israel’s cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal
Israel's government has approved the new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, paving the way for it to take effect on Sunday.
The decision came after hours of discussions that continued late into the night. Two far-right ministers voted against the deal.
The security cabinet earlier recommended ratifying the agreement, saying it "supports the achievement of the objectives of the war", according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
It came hours after the prime minister's office and Hamas both said they had finalised the details of the agreement, two days after it was announced by mediators Qatar, the US and Egypt.
How the historic deal was sealed with 10 minutes to spare
Under the deal, 33 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza after 15 months of conflict will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during the first phase lasting six weeks.
Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into the territory each day.
Negotiations for the second phase - which should see the remaining hostages released, a full Israeli troop withdrawal and "the restoration of sustainable calm" - will start on the 16th day.
The third and final stage will involve the reconstruction of Gaza - something which could take years - and the return of any remaining hostages' bodies.