Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assessed the security situation over delays in receiving a list of hostages scheduled to be released on Sunday morning as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the Israel Defense Forces that a ceasefire will not begin until Israel has a list of hostages expected to be released. Hamas has not yet released the names of the hostages, and the Israeli Defense Forces will remain active in the Gaza Strip as they continue to carry out attacks.
The agreement was scheduled to take effect at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, and Hamas said it would provide a list of hostages. However, the ceasefire remains on hold as Israel awaits the release of its hostage list.
Hamas said the delay in providing names was due to “technical reasons” and added that it would abide by the ceasefire agreement announced last week.
What to expect as Israel-Hamas ceasefire takes effect on Sunday
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to completely eradicate Hamas. (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun/Pool/File Photo)
israel cabinet Early Saturday, it approved a Gaza ceasefire agreement that includes the release of dozens of hostages and a suspension of the war with Hamas, which began after the terrorist group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack on the Jewish state.
The deal will see the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages are scheduled to be released in the second phase, with negotiations taking place in the first phase.
Hamas agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the agreement, four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.
A girl pauses in front of a mural of a female Israeli soldier put up by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Friday, January 17, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. In Hebrew it is written as “look into the eyes.” (AP)
Hamas said it would not release the remaining hostages unless there is a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal.
This is the second ceasefire achieved during the war.
A surge in humanitarian aid is expected in Gaza once the ceasefire begins.
The Israel Defense Forces will receive hostages on Sunday with a fully equipped camping trailer and comfortable supplies.
A wall covered with photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip after the deadly Hamas attack on October 7 calls for the release of hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Amir Levi/Getty Images)
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15 months length war in gaza It began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting approximately 250 people, prompting military retaliation by the Israeli military. Nearly 100 hostages are still being held in Gaza.
More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks, according to local health officials in the Hamas-run government, which does not differentiate between civilians and terrorists.
