Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday accused Hamas of reneging on parts of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement announced the day before. In a statement, Netanyahu said his

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

The deal will take place in three different phases, each of which will last for six weeks, according to U.S. and Qatari officials.

Israel intensified strikes on Gaza hours after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced, residents and authorities in the Palestinian enclave said, as mediators sought to quell fighting ahead of the truce's start on Sunday.

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

Israel bombarded Gaza with air strikes hours after a ceasefire and hostage release deal was announced, killing 32 people in an attack late on Wednesday. The strikes in Gaza City continued overnight into Thursday morning, destroying houses in Rafah in the south, Nuseirat in central Gaza, as well as in the north, residents said.

Israel and Hamas are close to a ceasefire deal, promising the release of dozens of hostages and pausing a devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas and Israel have reached a deal to bring a cease-fire to the Gaza Strip and release dozens of hostages, including some Americans, U.S. and Qatari officials announced Wednesday. The agreement — which they said includes a six-week pause in fighting starting Sunday — raises hopes that it could prove a permanent end to the 15-month long war that has killed tens of thousands of people,

Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of reneging on parts of the agreement in an attempt “to extort last minute concessions.” It did not elaborate.