It was not yet clear if the Israeli prime minister's statements merely reflected jockeying to keep his fractious coalition together or whether the cease-fire was at risk.

Israel's prime minister says his Cabinet has postponed its approval of the ceasefire deal, accusing Hamas of backtracking on certain terms. Hamas has denied the accusation. Follow DW for more.

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.