PA Media/dpa

London

Families of British hostages in Gaza were waiting to learn if their relatives will be among the first people released as

part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement.

The Israeli cabinet gave final approval to the ceasefire and hostage deal, which will pause the 15-month war with Hamas, at 1am on Saturday (2300 GMT).

The truce will begin on Sunday with three hostages to be released on the first day - followed by 30 more during the six-week opening phase of the truce.

The Jewish Chronicle newspaper reported that one British hostage is understood to be among the 33 captives set for release, although there has been no official word on the status of British-linked hostages.

The UK prime minister’s office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office have been approached for comment, BBC said.

The 33 hostages are understood to be women, children, men over 50, and sick or wounded people.

Hamas has agreed to release another four hostages on the seventh day and the remaining 26 over the following five weeks.

In return, hundreds of Palestinian detainees are to be released and Gaza Strip should see a sharp increase in humanitarian aid.

The British-Israeli 28-year-old reported to be released on Sunday was kidnapped during the October 7 attack in 2023 and has been a hostage for 469 days.

Arsenal and Tottenham football fans united in her support at the North London derby on Wednesday with yellow fans dotting the crowd.