The Red Sea city has been controlled by Houthi Rebels since 2014 and is a lifeline for food deliveries to Yemenis across the country, where the UN says millions face famine because of a blockade.

A lasting ceasefire would be a major step in efforts to end Yemen’s devastating war, which has killed thousands and left 14 million people on the brink of famine.

On Monday, the UN said the truce was agreed following talks in Sweden last week between Yemen’s Saudi-backed government and the Houthi rebels.

It is due to be followed by a team of observers deploying “within 24 hours”, a UN official said.

Shortly before the agreement was to take effect on Tuesday, Yemen’s internationally-recognised government called on its forces to “cease fire in Hodeida province and Hodeida city,” according to a copy statement received by AFP.

The Houthi rebels also said they would commit to the agreement.

Fierce fighting and airstrikes have been reported by Hodeida residents and people in surrounding areas in recent days, as clashes continued between Saudi-backed government forces and the Iran-aligned Houthis.

At least 29 fighters, including 22 Houthi rebels, were killed on Saturday night in Hodeida province.

Two residents said they could hear intermittent clashes to the east and south of the city on Monday.

According to a pro-government official, a fire broke out in one of the factories in the east of the city due to strikes on Sunday night.

At least 10,000 people have already been killed in the war – though observers believe the number could be much higher – and Save the Children estimates 85,000 children under five may have starved to death.

Pressure to end the war has intensified amid dire humanitarian warnings and the Jamal Khashoggi murder, which has brought attention to the Saudi’s government actions.