JERUSALEM - Israel's government approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal early on Friday, setting the clock ticking on the first phase of an agreement that aims to end the two-year-old war.

The agreement covers only an initial stage, including handing over hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners inside Israel, and a partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from positions in the enclave. Plenty of pitfalls remain with negotiators yet to resolve some of the thornier issues on which previous initiatives have foundered.