The long-awaited ceasefire in the Gaza Strip went into force on Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay, amid concerns that a serious trust deficit between Israel and Hamas could hamper its implementation and the prospects for lasting peace in the Middle East.
The regime was previously expected to begin at 8:30 a.m., but Hamas did not hand over the list of hostages to be released in time, which was a condition for the agreement to be implemented. Hamas explained the delay with technical reasons.
Israel took advantage of the delay to continue shelling Hamas positions in the enclave. Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari told a briefing that the Israel Defense Forces were attacking targets in the centre and north of the Gaza Strip using artillery and aircraft. He said:
“The truce will not take effect until Hamas fulfils its commitments.”
The list was eventually received around 10:00 a.m. on January 19, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office. A Ynet source said that the delay could also have been caused by communication problems among the movement’s militants. In addition, the difficulty could have been caused by reaching an agreement on the names and locations where the hostages would be handed over, given that Israeli aircraft are patrolling the airspace over the Gaza Strip.
Hamas’ official Telegram channel later published a list of three Israeli female hostages that the movement is set to release on January 19. They include 24-year-old Romy Gonen, 26-year-old Emily Damari and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher.
Damari, who holds dual Israeli and British citizenship, and Steinbrecher were captured on October 7, 2023 in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari suffered a gunshot wound.
Romy Gonen was captured the same day at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering music festival near Kibbutz Reim. Gonen was also shot and wounded in the Hamas attack, her friends with who she had travelled to the event were killed.
According to the Times of Israel, the Israeli military does not yet know exactly when Hamas will release the hostages, but the IDF is already prepared to receive them. The women are expected to be handed over first to the Red Cross and then to an IDF unit in the Gaza Strip. The publication reports:
“The military believes that the three hostages will be released today from central Gaza, meaning they will be taken to the Re’ima facility, although there is no certainty on the matter yet.”
In exchange, the Israeli side must release 90 women and minors convicted in Israel.
According to Hamas, Jerusalem is expected to hand over the list to the movement soon.
In the first phase of the truce, which will last 42 days, Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women and children. Israel will respond by releasing 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian released, 50 for each soldier. These could include those convicted for life for terrorism.
N12 TV reported that Hamas plans to release Israeli hostages on Saturdays.
Meanwhile, many footage of the devastated Gaza Strip appeared on social media.
Greece’s former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis wrote on X:
“Netanyahu confesses he does not intend to stick to the ceasefire and claims he has the backing of both Biden & Trump. The true intention is explained in this video: Settle Gaza, settle Lebanon, Greater Israel, No Peace.”
