The first of the deal’s three phases is set to begin on Sunday, though it has not yet been signed off by Israeli government ministers.

The first phase includes the entry into Gaza of humanitarian aid, the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard said the news “will bring some glimmer of relief to Palestinians victims of Israel’s genocide” but is “bitterly overdue”.

“The international community, which has shamefully failed to persuade Israel to comply with its legal obligations, must ensure Israel immediately allows lifesaving supplies to urgently reach all parts of the occupied Gaza Strip to ensure the survival of the Palestinian population,” she said.

“This includes guaranteeing the entry of vital medical supplies to treat the wounded and sick and facilitating urgent repairs to medical facilities and other vital infrastructure.

“Unless Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza is promptly lifted, this suffering will only continue.

“They must also urgently grant access to independent human rights monitors into Gaza to uncover evidence and reveal the extent of violations.”

Ms Callamard added: “Unless the root causes of this conflict are addressed, Palestinians and Israelis cannot even begin to hope for a brighter future built on rights, equality and justice.

“Israel must dismantle the brutal system of apartheid it imposes to dominate and oppress Palestinians and end its unlawful occupation of the occupied Palestinian territory once and for all.

“Third states have a crucial role to play to bring an end to Israel’s impunity and restore some faith in the rule of law.”

Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch, said: “Over the last 15 months, civilians have been targeted, attacked and killed at a scale unprecedented in the recent history of Israel and Palestine.

“For these atrocities to end, Israel needs to lift its blockade, allow in humanitarian aid at scale necessary to meet urgent needs, and ensure basic services like electricity and water are restored. Otherwise, people will continue to die, ceasefire or not.

“Palestinian armed groups need, immediately and unconditionally, to release all civilians held hostage.

“The heinous crimes committed through the 15-month hostilities should not go unpunished. Those responsible should be held to account, including at the International Criminal Court, and states need to address root causes, including Israel’s apartheid against the Palestinians.

“To avoid further mass atrocities, there must be an end to systematic repression and respect for the rights of all people in Israel and Palestine.”