Israeli government ministers are due to begin meeting to approve the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan signed with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

An Israeli government spokesperson said earlier that the ceasefire would go into force within 24 hours of the government meeting.

After those 24 hours, the hostages held in Gaza would be freed within 72 hours.

The government meeting on Thursday was due to follow a just completed meeting of the Israeli security cabinet.

Earlier on Thursday, Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas signed an agreement to cease fire and free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

It is the first phase of US President Donald Trump's initiative to end the two-year war in Gaza that has upended the Middle East.

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