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The first phase of a long-awaited ceasefire deal in Gaza has begun after a nearly three-hour delay, with Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages later on Sunday.
The ceasefire was due to begin at 08:30 (06:30 GMT), but Israel said Hamas had not given the names of the first hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas called it “technical reasons”.
Nineteen Palestinians were reportedly killed when the Israeli military struck so-called “terrorist targets” in Gaza after an initial deadline expired.
The ceasefire eventually came into effect at 11:15 a.m., after Israel received the names of the hostages. Mediator Qatar said they included British-Israeli and Romanian-Israeli dual nationals.
The Hamas statement identified the three women as Romy Gonen, 24, Doran Steinbrecher, 31, a Romanian national, and Emily Damary, 28, the only British national still in custody after 15 months of devastating war.
The Israeli government has not confirmed the names, but says women are among 33 Israeli hostages to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during the first six-week phase of the deal.
Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes, and hundreds of aid trucks will enter the territory every day.
Talks on the second phase – which should involve the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the “restoration of sustainable peace” – will begin on the 16th.
The third and final phase will involve the rebuilding of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of the hostages.
On Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any ceasefire would be “temporary” and that Israel reserved the right to resume war with US support if it broke down.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas – which is banned as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and others – in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 were captured. a hostage
Nearly 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the health ministry of the Hamas-run territory. Much of the population of 2.3 million has also been displaced, there is widespread destruction and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter amid the struggle to help those living in need.
Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to be dead. In addition, there are three Israelis kidnapped before the war, one of whom is dead.
on sunday morning Israeli military announced that special forces discovered the body of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaulan Israeli soldier who died in the 2014 Gaza war.
