A deal to exchange hostages and pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas has been postponed until Friday, according to Israeli officials.
The deal, which was expected to start on Thursday, would see the release of at least 50 hostages held by Hamas in return for 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The hostages are mostly women and minors on both sides.
The national security adviser of Israel, Tzachi Hanegbi, said that the contacts on the release of the hostages were ongoing and constant, but the start of the release would follow the original agreement between the sides.
However, he did not give a reason for the delay.
Another Israeli official said that a temporary ceasefire would also not begin on Thursday as the violence continued in northern Gaza.
The war, which started on October 7, has killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
Hamas and other Palestinian militants launched unprecedented raids into Israel, taking around 240 hostages.
The deal, which was brokered by Egypt and Qatar, would see a four-day truce, during which the hostages would be released in phases.
A Palestinian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told AFP that the delay was due to “last-minute” details over the identity and location of the hostages.
The delay has dashed the hopes of many families who are waiting to reunite with their loved ones and of millions of Gazans who are suffering from the war and the blockade. The deal is seen as a breakthrough to end the bloodshed and pave the way for a longer-term solution.