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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has 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. An Israeli Cabinet vote on the cease-fire deal has been delayed indefinitely.

The dispute underscores the fragility of the deal as mediators worked to ensure that it would go into effect on schedule.