Israeli PM's office says first hostages expected to be released on Sunday

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal is expected to begin as originally scheduled on Sunday, the Israeli prime minister's office said, after hours of uncertainty over the timing of final cabinet approval of the deal.

"Pending approval by the Security Cabinet and the Government, and the agreement taking effect, the release of the hostages will be implemented according to the planned framework in which the hostages are expected to be released on Sunday," it said in a statement.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Hugh Lawson)