A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect after a nearly three-hour delay, during which Israeli airstrikes killed at least 19 Palestinians.
The ceasefire implementation commenced once Israel confirmed receipt of the names of three captives scheduled for release in the deal’s initial phase.
According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, Israel has now obtained the list of hostages Hamas intends to release. The security establishment is currently reviewing the details, and the Israeli military has informed the hostages’ families.
A spokesperson for Hamas announced on Telegram that the release of three Israeli captives—Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Shtanbar Khair, 31, indicates progress following a cessation in the enforcement of the ceasefire.
Reports indicate that the names were provided to Israel through Qatar, facilitating the exchange. The captives are reportedly civilians, not soldiers.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mandated a delay in the ceasefire’s start until Hamas delivered the list of captives, a directive from his office stated.
Hamas attributed the delay to “technical field reasons” but confirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreed upon last week.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari clarified that the truce would not start until Hamas submitted the names of the three hostages due for early release.
Netanyahu had earlier stated that Israel reserved the right to resume military operations if the ceasefire’s second phase failed.
During the 42-day first phase of the deal, Hamas is expected to release 33 captives in exchange for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces will move to a designated buffer zone, allowing some displaced Palestinians to return home, and humanitarian aid will likely increase.
This ceasefire marks the second break in the conflict, with negotiations for a permanent ceasefire slated to begin in two weeks. Yet, unresolved issues persist, including the fate of nearly 100 other captives in Gaza and whether hostilities will resume after the six-week truce.
Read: Netanyahu Stalls Ceasefire Progress Pending Hostage List from Hamas
Israel’s cabinet approved the ceasefire during an unusual session on the Jewish Sabbath, following over two days of intense deliberations.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump encouraged both parties to finalize the agreement before Monday’s U.S. presidential inauguration.
