India, Oct. 10 -- Israel's government has ratified a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, clearing the way to end hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and release Israeli hostages within the following 72 hours.

The cabinet's approval early Friday came nearly a day after mediators announced the deal, which includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The agreement, part of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace initiative, marks a significant step toward ending the two-year-long Gaza war.

"The government has just approved the framework for the release of all hostages - both the living and the deceased," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announc...