By GB News (World News) | Created at 2025-01-19 08:41:12 | Updated at 2025-01-19 12:30:28
4 hours ago
Israel has now received the names of the hostages set to be released today, Israeli media reports.
This comes after Israel continued operations in Gaza, as a ceasefire that was due to begin this morning was delayed, after Hamas failed to issue the list of hostages set to be released.
The truce, which was set to begin at 8:30am local time, was long-sought for and would bring much-needed respite to the region.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning on Saturday that the deal would not go ahead without a list of the three female hostages due to be released today.
Israeli forces already struck targets in northern and central Gaza this morning
Reuters
He reiterated the warning this morning, an hour before the ceasefire was set to begin.
His office said: "The prime minister instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8.30am, will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide."
Hamas claimed the delay in handing the names over is due to “technical field reasons”, saying in a statement that they stay committed to the deal.
Israeli military spokespan Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the army would continue its operations inside Gaza until Hamas met the obligations of the agreement.
Israeli forces already struck targets in northern and central Gaza this morning, as the ceasefire was delayed. The Hamas-run Gaza civil defence agency has claimed eight people were killed.
Sunday morning would have seen the start of the first phase of a peace agreement, which was agreed on by Israel’s cabinet after hours of deliberation on Friday night.
This came after a breakthrough in negotiations mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt was confirmed on Wednesday.
The first stage would see 33 of the 98 hostages freed over the course of six weeks. Only half are believed to be alive.
British hostage Emily Damari was believed to be on the list of hostages released in the first phase of the ceasefire.
The first stage would see 22 of the 98 hostages freed over the course of six weeks. Only half are believed to be alive
Reuters
The second phase would see the release of the remainder of the hostages, and would be negotiated during the first.
In return, between 990 and 1650 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons.
The deal would also see an increase in humanitarian aid and Israeli forces would retreat from some of their positions in Gaza.
Israeli forces had reportedly already began withdrawing from areas in Rafah and the Philadelphi corridor, pro-Hamas media claimed earlier today.
However, Israel says it is still operating in Gaza.
