Israel's cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.

Media reports said 24 ministers in Mr Netanyahu’s coalition government voted in favour of the deal while eight opposed it. Read more at straitstimes.com.

After meeting for more than six hours in the early hours of Saturday, the government ratified the agreement, Netanyahu's office said.