The first phase of a long-awaited ceasefire agreement in Gaza began after a delay of almost three hours, with Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages later on Sunday.
The ceasefire was due to begin at 08:30 (0630 GMT), but Israel said Hamas had not provided the names of the first hostages to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas blamed “technical reasons”.
Nineteen Palestinians were reportedly killed as the Israeli military attacked what it called “terrorist targets” in Gaza after an initial deadline expired.
The truce finally came into effect at 11:15, after Israel received the names of the hostages. Mediator Qatar said British-Israeli and Romanian-Israeli dual nationals were involved.
A Hamas statement identified the three women as Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a Romanian national, and 28-year-old Emily Damari, who is the only British national still in custody after 15 months of devastating war.
The Israeli government has not confirmed the names, but the women were said to be 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 be allowed into the territory every day.
Negotiations for the second phase – which should allow for the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and the “establishment of a 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 reserves the right to continue the war, with US support, if it ends.
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, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. .
Since then, nearly 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there. Most of the 2.3 million population have also been displaced, destruction is widespread and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as the struggle to help those in need.
Israel says Hamas is still holding 94 hostages, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, there are three Israelis who were abducted before the war, one of whom is dead.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army announced that special forces had found the body of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaulan Israeli soldier who died in the 2014 Gaza war.
