Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israel will not begin the ceasefire in Gaza until Hamas provides a list of hostages to be released. He made this statement less than an hour before the action was set to start at 8.30am local time.
Hamas delayed handing over the list. It blamed “technical field reasons” and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire deal.
Hostage exchange and ceasefire terms
Later on Sunday, Hamas will release three hostages in exchange for a significant number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. This marks the first step towards ending the 15-month conflict.
The first phase of the ceasefire, lasting 42 days, will bring home 33 hostages and see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released. Israeli forces will pull back into a buffer zone, allowing many displaced Palestinians to return home. The ceasefire will also facilitate a large increase in humanitarian aid.
Looking ahead: Negotiations and Gaza’s recovery
This ceasefire is longer and carries more significance than the previous one. It could eventually bring an end to the fighting.
Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire will start in about two weeks. The main issues remain, including the fate of nearly 100 hostages still in Gaza.
On Saturday, Netanyahu stated that Israel views the ceasefire as a temporary measure. He said Israel still has the right to continue fighting if necessary.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire on Saturday, despite the unusual timing of the Jewish Sabbath. This decision came more than two days after mediators announced the deal.
Both the outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump pressured both sides to reach a deal before Monday’s US presidential inauguration.
The war’s toll has been devastating. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 46,000 Palestinian deaths. The October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed over 1,200 people, with hundreds of Israeli soldiers dying as well.
Around 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced. The region’s health system and infrastructure are in ruins. Rebuilding Gaza, if the ceasefire proceeds to its final phase, will take years. Several key questions about Gaza’s future remain unresolved.
