Israel’s cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement’s scheduled start.In the early hours of Saturday after meeting for more than six hours, the government ratified the agreement, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.For the latest updates on the Israel-Palestine conflict, visit our dedicated page.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.Media reports said 24 ministers in Netanyahu’s coalition government voted in favour of the deal while eight opposed it.On Friday, the Israeli security cabinet voted in favour of the ceasefire accord, the first of two approvals required.The war between Israeli forces and Hamas has razed much of