Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza after the ceasefire agreement was announced

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to ratify the Gaza ceasefire agreement in parliament on Thursday, but his office alleges Hamas has “reneged” on part of the agreement, causing a “last-minute crisis”.

It added the cabinet would not hold until Hamas accepted “all elements of the agreement”.

A senior Hamas official told the BBC that the movement is committed to the agreement announced by mediators and that its head of delegation, Khalil al-Hayya, has officially informed Qatar and Egypt of his approval of all terms of the agreement.

Two hard-line right-wing ministers, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have long threatened to quit the governing coalition if the ceasefire continues.

That could trigger new elections in Israel, but his resignation will not block a deal if Netanyahu wants it to happen, observers say.

Qatar’s prime minister – who is mediating the talks – called for “calm” on both sides ahead of the start of the first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement.

This will see 33 hostages – including women, children and the elderly – exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Israeli forces will also withdraw to the east, away from the densely populated Gaza Strip.

Displaced Palestinians will be allowed to start returning to their homes and hundreds of aid lorries will finally be allowed into the area every day.