LIVE Middle East | Israeli government agrees to ceasefire in Gaza Strip, mediators in Egypt agree on implementation of agreement

Both the Security Cabinet and the government of Israel officially approved the agreement with Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office expects Hamas to release the first hostages in the Gaza Strip next Sunday, after the truce between Hamas and Israel comes into effect. Israeli media report that the truce will come into effect on Sunday at 11:15 am (Dutch time) and the first releases will take place at 3:00 pm. Follow all developments in the Middle East in our live blog.

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