Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

Family members and supporters of hostages deliver statements for the release of hostages who were kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli government ratified the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, after a cabinet meeting that lasted more than six hours and ended in the early hours of Saturday.

Under the deal, bitterly opposed by some cabinet hardliners, a six-week ceasefire is due to take effect on Sunday, with the first of a series of hostage-for-prisoner exchanges that could open the way to ending the 15-month war in Gaza.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Alex Cornwell; Editing by Chris Reese)