The Israeli military announced on Friday that the ceasefire arrangement with Hamas began at noon local time (8pm AEDT), and that forces are pulling back to predetermined areas.

This declaration came after reports of intense shelling in northern Gaza earlier that morning, following Israel’s Cabinet endorsement of US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza. This plan includes the release of remaining hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

The approval marked a key step toward ending a ruinous two-year war that has destabilised the Middle East.

Early on Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a concise statement indicating that the Cabinet had approved the “outline” of an agreement to free the hostages. However, it did not address other, potentially contentious elements of the proposal.

More to come.