A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip commenced on Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay due to Hamas’s tardiness in providing the names of the three hostages it intended to release. The ceasefire officially started at 11:15 a.m. local time (0915 GMT), as confirmed by the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel stated that hostilities would continue until it received the names, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
Hamas attributed the delay to “technical field reasons” and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire deal that was agreed upon the previous week. This truce is intended to halt fighting following 15 months of conflict, facilitating the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas, along with hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement on Saturday.
The ceasefire was brokered through months of indirect negotiations involving the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, representing the second temporary halt in hostilities during the severe conflict. The escalation began after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and left approximately 250 others in captivity. Currently, nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military offensive that has reportedly claimed more than 46,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health authorities. However, these figures do not differentiate between civilians and militants and indicate that over half of the deceased include women and children.
As for the latest updates, an Israeli official confirmed that the three hostages to be released on Sunday include Romi Gonen (24 years old), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31). Gonen was taken from the Nova music festival, while Damari was kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari holds dual citizenship in Israel and Britain. The announcement was made with the families’ consent, and the official asked for anonymity due to regulations surrounding the information.
Israeli media have identified Romi Gonen as one of the hostages set for release. Reports stated that she was abducted from a music festival during the initial stages of the ongoing conflict. However, confirmation of the remaining two hostages has yet to be provided by Israel, as their families have not publicly commented on the situation.
While awaiting the anticipated return of the hostages, some Israelis congregated on a hill overlooking Gaza. As Israeli warplanes and helicopters flew overhead, they expressed hope for the safety of the captives. Among those gathered was Asher Pizem, a 35-year-old resident of Sderot, who welcomed the hostages’ impending return. However, he expressed concern that the ceasefire merely defers the underlying issues, arguing that by allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza, the Israeli government risks enabling Hamas’s ability to regroup and rearm.
Meanwhile, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, an Israeli airstrike reportedly killed at least eight people following a delay in the ceasefire agreement. Casualties from the airstrike were confirmed by the Nasser Hospital, which noted that the strike occurred around two hours after the ceasefire was expected to initiate. The Israeli government attributed the delay to Hamas’s failure to disclose the list of hostages.
Hamas has since published the names of the three individuals it plans to release, needing this step resolutely to initiate the ceasefire. There has been no immediate response from Israeli authorities regarding Hamas’s announcement.
In further developments, the Jewish Power party, which is spearheaded by hard-line Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, announced that its Cabinet members resigned in protest against the Gaza ceasefire arrangement. Their departure does not jeopardize the coalition or the ceasefire situation but does add to the instability within the government structure.
An Israeli official indicated that despite the setback related to the hostage names, the ceasefire deal would proceed. However, there are lingering uncertainties about the exact timing of its implementation. The official, while remaining anonymous, revealed that intermediaries had assured that Hamas would comply with delivering the names as per the agreement.
On another note, Israeli forces announced the recovery of the body of a soldier killed during the 2014 Israel-Hamas conflict. The body of Oron Shaul was returned to Israeli authorities following a complex operation involving elite military units. His remains had been held by Hamas since the earlier conflict, and the return of remains is seen as part of the broader ceasefire negotiation that also involves hostages.
The UN humanitarian affairs agency has ramped up its preparations to provide assistance to Gaza following the official start of the ceasefire. According to Muhannad Hadi, the agency’s humanitarian coordinator, they are poised to implement large-scale relief operations encompassing vital supplies such as food, water, and healthcare for those in Gaza, along with the anticipated release of hostages.
Activism against the ceasefire deal was apparent in Jerusalem, where protesters gathered to express disapproval, momentarily blocking an important road while demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation and a continuation of military actions.
In a pre-ceasefire address, Netanyahu remarked that the ceasefire should be viewed as temporary, emphasizing that Israel maintains the right to resume operations if necessary. He conveyed confidence in maintaining the backing of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and underscored the purported success of Israel’s military actions as a catalyst for Hamas’s agreement to a ceasefire.
