The Israeli military says it “continues to attack” inside the Gaza Strip as a dispute with Hamas delayed the start of a planned ceasefire, the Associated Press is reporting.

Daniel Hagari, the military’s chief spokesman, said the truce would not begin until Hamas handed over the names of three hostages to be released later on Sunday, echoing an earlier statement from prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Lorenzo Tondo reports that it was unclear if the dispute had been resolved when the deadline for the truce to begin passed at 8.30am local time.

Hagari said soldiers were fully ready for the implementation of the ceasefire but also ready '‘to respond is terms are broken by Hamas”.