The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced a ceasefire in Gaza has come into force, as of midday local time (8pm AEDT).

In a statement, the IDF said troops had begun positioning themselves along "updated deployment lines" — which are the areas Israel had agreed to withdraw to as part of the deal struck with Hamas.

This will allow the release of Israeli hostages after 72 hours.

There had been reports of ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza in the hours after the Netanyahu government formally agreed to the peace plan, prior to the ceasefire beginning.

The IDF says it will "continue to remove any immediate threat" — meaning Israeli forces will continue to attack anything they deem to be a risk to safety.

The Israeli cabinet approved a framework for the release of the hostages late last nig

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