A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was initiated on Sunday, albeit after a delay of nearly three hours due to Hamas’s late announcement of the three hostages it intends to release. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the ceasefire commenced at 11:15 a.m. local time (0915 GMT). Israel had previously stated its intention to continue military operations until the names of the hostages were disclosed as part of the agreement.

Hamas attributed the delay in releasing the names to “technical field reasons,” maintaining its commitment to the ceasefire negotiated last week. This truce aims to halt fighting after 15 months of conflict and facilitate the release of numerous hostages held by militants in Gaza as well as hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians in Israel. The deal was greenlit by Israel’s Cabinet early Saturday morning.

This ceasefire, facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt through months of indirect negotiations, marks the second truce established amidst the ongoing turmoil. The hostilities began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and left around 250 others in captivity. Nearly 100 hostages continue to remain in Gaza.

Israel’s military response has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health authorities, who do not differentiate between combatants and civilians, but state that women and children constitute a significant portion of the casualties.

In related news, President-elect Donald Trump welcomed the forthcoming release of three hostages from Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement. Trump expressed his enthusiasm on the social media platform Truth Social, noting that the first three hostages are “wonderful young women.”

Pope Francis also shared his appreciation for the ceasefire, praising the mediators involved. He prayed for the safe return of all hostages, emphasized the importance of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, and called for ongoing international efforts to facilitate “dialogue, hope, and peace.”

Meanwhile, the U.N. World Food Program announced that trucks have begun delivering food supplies into Gaza through two crossings following the ceasefire. Initially, the trucks brought crucial wheat flour and ready-to-eat food items, with plans for daily deliveries along established humanitarian routes.

In Gaza, residents celebrated the ceasefire on Sunday morning, yearning for peace after a protracted war that led to widespread destruction. During the celebrations, masked militants joined the crowds, which cheered for them. There was a parade organized by Gaza’s Civil Defense, along with displays of Palestinian flags amid the festivities. Reports indicated that some Hamas police forces re-emerged publicly after a period of low visibility due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes. As the situation remained tense, families began to return to their homes in Gaza City, although shelling persisted in the area.

In Paris, family members of Israeli hostages expressed their apprehensions regarding the uncertain futures of their loved ones despite the agreement for their release. Concerns were raised about the health and well-being of those held in captivity for extended durations, with one family member arguing against categorizing the deal as purely humanitarian.

On the Israeli side, an official confirmed the names of three hostages expected to be released on Sunday: Romi Gonen, 24; Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. While Gonen was taken from a music festival, the other two were kidnapped from a kibbutz.

As the ceasefire awaited implementation, nervous Israelis gathered to watch ongoing military actions from a vantage point near the Gaza border, reflecting mixed feelings about the truce and concerns about future conflict.

Despite the ceasefire’s announcement, an Israeli airstrike resulted in the deaths of eight individuals shortly after the expected commencement of the truce. The continuation of airstrikes highlighted the fragile situation and uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire.

The ceasefire agreement experienced another setback when Hamas delayed naming the hostages it would release, extending the ceasefire’s expected start time. There was no immediate response from Israeli officials following the announcement.

In Israeli political developments, the right-wing faction led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced its resignation from the coalition government in protest of the ceasefire agreement. However, this departure does not jeopardize the ceasefire’s implementation but adds instability to the ruling coalition.

Israeli authorities reported the recovery of the body of a soldier who was killed in the 2014 conflict with Hamas, indicating that this recovery was part of the ongoing negotiations related to the ceasefire.

The U.N. has stepped up preparations for humanitarian assistance in Gaza as the ceasefire took effect, looking to provide much-needed relief supplies as part of the interim agreements.

In a demonstration against the deal in Jerusalem, dozens of Israelis protested, calling for perseverance in the war and demanding accountability from Prime Minister Netanyahu, labeling the ceasefire a betrayal of those who perished in the conflict.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, having previously spoken with President-elect Trump, emphasized Israel’s right to resume military operations if necessary and framed the ceasefire as a strategic pause motivated by Israel’s military achievements, while also indicating a dismissive stance towards the far-right members of his cabinet who oppose the ceasefire.