Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says he hopes to announce the release of hostages being held in Gaza "in coming days"

He says diplomatic and military pressure got us to this point - and adds that Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarised "the easy way or the hard way"

Netanyahu's comments come after Hamas agreed to release hostages under a US-proposed peace plan

Israel and Hamas are preparing to take part in indirect talks in Egypt, with the US sending envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner to join them

Hamas has previously asked for further negotiations on a number of issues outlined in the US plan

As Netanyahu's statement was aired, in Tel Aviv crowds gathered around Hostages Square listened intently as former hostages called for an end to the war, the BBC's Alice Cuddy reports