After some delays, the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip came into effect at 10:15 am (CET) on Sunday. The deal between Israel and Hamas was previously postponed because the terrorist militia did not submit a list of hostages to be released on Sunday, as agreed during negotiations.
“Hamas is not meeting its obligations,” said the Israeli army spokesman, explaining the delay on Sunday morning. As long as Hamas does not fulfill the agreement, the Israeli army will continue to attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously demanded that Hamas provide a timely list of the names of hostages to be released. He instructed the armed forces that the ceasefire should not begin until Israel receives the list, his office said. Hamas reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire and explained the delay as “technical reasons.”
The ceasefire would come into effect at 7:30 a.m. CET (8:30 a.m. local time). According to Israeli information, three hostages held by Hamas would be released in the afternoon – in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. A total of 33 hostages will be released, including dual nationality Austrian-Israeli Tal Shoham. In return, Israel released captured Palestinians in 1904.
In addition, the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza will soon be reopened. The import of humanitarian aid for the Palestinians will also be significantly increased.
Hamas has not yet provided a list of hostage names
Shortly before the planned start of the ceasefire, new problems naturally arose between the warring parties. According to Israeli sources, the Islamist Hamas has not yet provided a list of the names of the first three hostages expected to be released on Sunday. “Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement,” Netanyahu warned on Saturday. Without the list of names, Israel will not continue to implement the agreement.
Hamas sources said the organization would send the list containing the names of the first three hostages in the coming hours. Nevertheless, Netanyahu threatened to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip if the agreed ceasefire proves futile. He receives the support of newly-elected US President Donald Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden. “If we must return to the fight, we will do so in a new, strong way,” Netanyahu said in a video address.
Body of soldier recovered during special operation
According to the Israeli army, a special operation has managed to recover the body of a soldier killed in 2014 from the Gaza Strip and bring it back home. The soldier was previously listed as one of 98 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip. Israel initially tried to extradite him as part of a deal with Hamas.
However, he was not part of the first phase of the agreement, which was due to start on Sunday and last six weeks. The soldier may have been handed over to Israel at a later stage.
The soldier was killed in July 2014 during the Gaza war. Efforts have since been made to recover his remains as well as those of another soldier killed in 2014.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
