Israel’s cabinet approved an agreement on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip that would free Israeli hostages, ending two days of debate that had underscored the pact’s fragility.The full cabinet endorsed the deal hours after the security cabinet had approved it.

The first of the deal’s three phases will see the release of 33 hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees, among other things.

Israel's full cabinet has approved the deal, with 24 ministers voting in favour and eight ministers voting against it.