Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza, scheduled to begin at 06:30 GMT, will be postponed until Hamas provides a complete list of hostages to be released. Netanyahu’s statement, issued an hour before the deadline, emphasized that the ceasefire would only commence once the list was received.
"The prime minister instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30 a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide," his office stated.
Hamas confirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but cited "technical field reasons" for the delay in submitting the names. Reports from pro-Hamas media indicated that Israeli forces had begun withdrawing from positions in Gaza's Rafah area toward the Philadelphi Corridor near the Egypt-Gaza border. However, Israel's military warned residents to avoid movement within Gaza until official instructions on safe transit methods are issued.
Ceasefire Framework and Hostage Release
The ceasefire, brokered through months of negotiations involving Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, is set to proceed in three phases. The initial six-week phase includes the release of 33 hostages—primarily women, children, elderly individuals, and those wounded—in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees. The list of detainees includes minors, members of militant groups, and prisoners convicted of attacks that killed Israelis.
On Sunday afternoon, three female hostages are expected to be freed through the Red Cross, with each release triggering the exchange of 30 Palestinian prisoners. Subsequent releases are planned weekly, with additional hostages freed in groups of three.
The deal also stipulates the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza during the first phase, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to certain areas.
U.S. Involvement and Diplomatic Pressure
The agreement comes amid intense pressure from U.S. officials. President-elect Donald Trump, working with Biden administration envoy Brett McGurk, had called for swift action, warning of severe consequences if hostages were not released.
Challenges Ahead
While the ceasefire aims to end 15 months of conflict, the long-term future of Gaza remains uncertain. Reconstruction of the war-torn enclave will require substantial resources, with estimates pointing to billions of dollars and years of rebuilding.
Israel has vowed to prevent Hamas from regaining control, clearing significant portions of Gaza to create a potential buffer zone. However, hardliners within Netanyahu’s government have threatened to withdraw support if military operations cease permanently, leaving the Prime Minister caught between international expectations and domestic political pressures.
Broader Regional Impact
The conflict has reshaped the Middle East, with ripple effects extending beyond Gaza. The war triggered confrontations with Hezbollah in Lebanon and direct engagements with Iran. Despite significant investments in regional militant networks, Iran’s influence has been diminished, and Hezbollah’s military capabilities have been severely degraded.
However, Israel’s military dominance has been met with widespread international condemnation. Devastation in Gaza has fueled diplomatic isolation, with Israel facing allegations of war crimes and genocide at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Casualties and Aftermath
The conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages taken. In Gaza, 47,000 Palestinians have been killed according to local health ministry figures, though estimates vary regarding the proportion of civilian casualties versus combatants. The prolonged war has left Gaza in ruins, with extensive destruction and a humanitarian crisis.
As the ceasefire teeters on the brink of implementation, the possibility of renewed hostilities remains, leaving the region on edge.
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