Ceasefire agreed by Israel with Hamas which includes release of Gaza hostages

Under the deal, Hamas is to free 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip over a four-day period

An Israeli army tank manoeuvers along Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel (Ohad Zwigenberg, AP)

The Israeli Cabinet on Wednesday approved a ceasefire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war that has stretched on for over six weeks.

Hamas will release dozens of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.