A truce has come into effect in Gaza after Hamas released the names of three Israeli hostages it plans to free. The ceasefire, which was delayed by over two hours, finally started at 11:15 local time (9:15 GMT) on Sunday.
This marks the beginning of a 42-day ceasefire phase under the terms of the agreement.
Hamas announced that three female hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—would be released as part of the deal.
The militant group’s decision to share the names was a critical step in initiating the ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the timing of the truce after the list was handed over.
Earlier, Israel had stated it would continue its military operations in Gaza until the list of 33 hostages to be released was received. The delay led to a prolonged period of fighting, with the Israel Defense Forces continuing their strikes on what they described as terrorist targets in Gaza.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military spokesperson, emphasised that the truce could only begin after Hamas delivered the names.
The ceasefire agreement is part of a larger framework involving the release of hostages on both sides. During this phase, Hamas is expected to free a total of 33 Israeli hostages out of the 98 still held.
In return, Israel has agreed to release approximately 2,000 Palestinian detainees from its prisons. The deal has been mediated by Qatar, with both sides working towards easing the escalating conflict.
The release of hostages has become a critical aspect of the negotiations, with both sides expressing the importance of fulfilling their commitments. Israel’s leadership, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, has reiterated the need to ensure the safe return of the hostages while maintaining security in the region.
Earlier in the day, tensions remained high as Israeli forces carried out strikes in Gaza. This followed statements from Israeli officials that any delay in receiving the list of hostages would result in continued military action.
The ceasefire only commenced after the release of the names, signalling a temporary halt to the violence.
