Gaza ceasefire agreement takes effect

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has taken effect, Israel’s Ynet news website reported.

Israeli Channel 12 and The Times of Israel outlet cited Netanyahu’s office as saying that the deal will go into force immediately once approved by the Cabinet.

The Israeli Cabinet is set to convene at 15:00 pm local time (12:00GMT) to approve the ceasefire deal.

Under the deal, fighting will cease, Israel will partially withdraw from Gaza and Hamas will free hostages it captured in the attack that precipitated the war, in exchange for prisoners held by Israel.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement on the first phase of a peace plan following talks in Egypt. According to him, all hostages are expected to be liberated soon, while Israeli troops will be withdrawn to "an agreed upon line".