A senior Israeli official said the cease-fire in the Gaza Strip took effect after the agreement was signed overnight. According to the official, the government hopes Hamas will release all living hostages at once, but is also preparing for the possibility that the releases will occur in several stages.

Senior Hamas official says group intends to release captives in stages linked to the withdrawal of Israel's military.

CAIRO: Senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nounou said on Wednesday that negotiators from his group and Israel have exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages who would be released…