Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, with a pause in fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners expected to begin Sunday. Follow for live updates.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to start at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday.

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza with ceasefire talks ending with success in Qatar.

The long-awaited ceasefire and hostage release deal between the Israeli government and Hamas will take effect on Sunday, potentially signaling a new chapter in a bloody 15-month conflict that has enflamed the Middle East.

What will come next remains unclear in the absence of a comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of Gaza, and although the stated aim of the ceasefire is to end the war entirely, it could easily unravel.

Israel’s government approved the deal with Hamas after deliberations among the 33-member cabinet lasted for seven hours and unusually ran into early Saturday morning on Shabbat,

Israel's prime minister says his country is ready to go back to war in Gaza if negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas collapses.

The agreement is set to halt a 15-month-old war between Israel and Hamas that has decimated the Strip, killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis, and destabilised the Middle East.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will begin on Sunday, allowing for a hostage release and potentially ending a 15-month conflict.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, with a pause in fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to begin early Sunday. Follow for live updates.

The ceasefire deal was announced on Wednesday and will see a pause in the fighting take effect at 6.30am GMT on Sunday, mediator Qatar said.