The Israeli government has approved the first phase of the Gaza agreement, which will lead to a ceasefire and the release of hostages and prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote on his Twitter page, "The government has now approved a framework for the release of all hostages (living and dead)."

The Israeli army will withdraw to a line of control that will cover 53 percent of Gaza.

Hamas must release 20 surviving hostages within 72 hours. It must then return the bodies of 28 dead hostages.

Israel will release about 250 Palestinian life prisoners and 1,700 prisoners held in Gaza, a Palestinian source told the BBC.

The United Nations said hundreds of aid trucks carrying food, medicine and fuel were entering Gaza, reaching two million residents, most of whom are sheltering in tents or under rubble.

Israel will allow 400 aid trucks into Gaza each day for the first five days.

A US-led force of about 200 troops will oversee the Gaza ceasefire, a senior US official said.

It is also known that the force will include soldiers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.