The first phase of a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has begun after a delay of nearly three hours, with Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages later on Sunday.
The ceasefire was due to start at 08:30 (06:30 GMT), but Israel said Hamas had not yet released the names of the first hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas blamed “technical reasons”.
Nineteen Palestinians were reportedly killed when Israeli forces attacked what it called “terrorist areas” in Gaza after missing an initial deadline.
The ceasefire finally came into force at 11:15, after Israel received the names of the hostages. The Qatari mediator said they included two British-Israelis and a Romanian-Israeli.
A statement released by Hamas identified the three women as Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a Romanian national, and 28-year-old Emily Damari, the only British national still in custody after 15 months of devastating war.
The Israeli government has not confirmed the names, however said the women were among 33 Israeli hostages to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. during the first six-week phase of the agreement.
Israeli forces will also withdraw from enclaves in Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed to enter the area each day.
The second phase of talks – which should see the release of remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the “restoration of sustainable calm” – will begin on the 16th.
The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of hostages.
On Saturday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any ceasefire would be “temporary”, and that Israel reserves the right to resume the war, with US support, if it collapses.
The Israeli military launched an operation to destroy Hamas – which is declared a terrorist organization by Israel, the US and others – in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 were taken hostage. hostage.
About 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the area. Most of the 2.3 million people have also been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter due to the struggle to get aid to those who need it.
Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to have died. In addition, there are three Israelis who were captured before the war, one of whom has died.
Sunday morning, the Israeli army announced that special forces have found the body of Sgt Oron Shaulan Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 war in Gaza.
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