Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, with a pause in fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners expected to begin Sunday. Follow for live updates.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is due to start at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday.

What will come next remains unclear in the absence of a comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of Gaza, and although the stated aim of the ceasefire is to end the war entirely, it could easily unravel.

Two parents and two of their sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit their tent in the Mawasi area near Khan Younis. A relative told an NBC News crew that the family had been celebrating news of the ceasefire agreement days earlier.

The long-awaited ceasefire and hostage release deal between the Israeli government and Hamas will take effect on Sunday, potentially signaling a new chapter in a bloody 15-month conflict that has enflamed the Middle East.

Israel's prime minister says his country is ready to go back to war in Gaza if negotiations for a second phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas collapses.

The agreement is set to halt a 15-month-old war between Israel and Hamas that has decimated the Strip, killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis, and destabilised the Middle East.

Long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is due to begin at 630am GMT on Sunday – but hostages’ families and Palestinians all fear the deal could fall at the final hurdle

Israel’s government approved a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, paving the way for the agreement to take effect Sunday and potentially signalling a new chapter in a bloody 15-month conflict that has enflamed the Middle East.

Last week’s spontaneous displays of joy on the streets of Gaza and Israel show how much this ceasefire deal means to both peoples, yet there have been many false dawns that promised peace between Palestinians and the state of Israel.

The Lipscomb Bisons defeated the Austin Peay Governors 88-60 led by Jacob Ognacevic's 31 points. Will Pruitt scored 14 points with eight rebounds for Lipscomb (13-6, 5-1 Atlantic Sun Conference).