Israel and Turkey have reached agreement to normalize their ties. A formal announcement on the restoration of relations, and details of the agreement, is expected today at 10 am GMT, by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in Rome, and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara.

The deal symbolizes an end to a 5-year-old rift. The once-firm allies have been quietly mending fences in trade and tourism since 2013, when their leaders held a conciliatory telephone call. Negotiations have intensified over the past six months, to pave the way for a mutual return of ambassadors.