Israel's security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel's security cabinet has voted to approve a ceasefire deal to end the fighting in Gaza. The decision came two days after mediators Qatar and the United States an agreement had been reached with Israel and Hamas on Wednesday.

"After examining all political, security, and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed deal supports achieving the war objectives," the security cabinet recommends the government approve the ceasefire deal, a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

The full Israeli cabinet will meet later Friday to consider the deal, the statement added.

The security cabinet is made up of a handful of the most senior members of the government overseeing the course of the war in Gaza, and it's likely the fuller body will also approve the deal, clearing the way for implementation of the deal.

Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, called the agreement the "right move" and urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to proceed with it.

In both Israel and Gaza, there was celebration at the news of a prospective ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was reached after intense negotiations in Doha.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal after intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.

The implementation of the agreement will begin on Sunday, January 19.

Hamas is expected to release the first hostages under a Gaza ceasefire deal on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday, after 15 months of war that demolished the enclave.

If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza, killed over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the tiny enclave's pre-war population of 2.3 million several times over, according to local authorities.