Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of backing out of a cease-fire deal to release hostages and end the war in Gaza, which has raged for more than a year.

The deal, mediated by the United States, offered a glimmer of hope in a conflict that has taken an immense human toll.

An Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal expected to take effect on Sunday has sparked hope for life-saving aid to reach Palestinians, but aid agencies warn of obstacles from destroyed infrastructure, massive need and collapsed law and order.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire brings hope for aid to Palestinians, but challenges remain in delivering life-saving assistance.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, describing the deal as a "critical first step and urging parties to seize this opportunity to establish a credible political path to a better future for Palestinians,

Rifts with Hamas and a far-right minister’s threat to resign complicated progress toward the Israeli cabinet’s vote on the deal, which includes the release of hostages.

The United Nations says it’s ready to ramp up the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian aid to Gaza after a ceasefire agreement and urged the removal of major security and political obstacles so it can reach all those in need.

After the signing of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, the emergency sector began to hope for “safe and unimpeded” access to the Palestinian enclave to deliver as much humanitarian aid as possible. But nothing is guaranteed.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday welcomed the cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, saying, 'We welcome the announcement of the agreement for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.

UN relief agencies and humanitarians, led by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the Gaza ceasefire accord reached between Israel and Hamas, and called for a massive scaling up of humanitarian operations.

The United States and Qatar announced a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, pausing the devastating 15-month war in Gaza and clearing the way for dozens of Israeli hostages to go home.

Israel will not proceed with the Gaza ceasefire until it receives a list of the 33 hostages who will be released by Hamas in the first phase of the deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday.