Hamas has formally presented the names of three Israeli hostages to the mediators-the signal for their freeing on the first day of the expected truce in Gaza. It came after demands from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the truce could not begin without knowing the names of those who will go free. The Hamas government claimed the delays to date had been “technical”.
It was supposed to start at 08:30 AM local time, 06:30 GMT, but there have been some complications with the implementation of the ceasefire, as the Israeli military continued action inside Gaza and killed at least 10 Palestinians. It involves a cessation of hostilities, the release of the three hostages held by Hamas, and freedom for about 95 Palestinian prisoners.
At least 46,899 Palestinians have been killed and more than 110,725 injured since Israel’s military campaign in Gaza began on October 7, 2023. During coordinated attacks led by Hamas on the same day, at least 1,139 people were killed in Israel.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office says the ceasefire will now begin at 09:15 GMT, after a delay. Hamas has identified the three women hostages to be released as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari.
Leading figures in the current Israeli government-National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich-have always refused any cease-fire, citing the unmet objectives of the war. What they have said, in a tough posture that fits the greater ideology-military reoccupation of Gaza and annexation of the West Bank-makes negotiations even more complex.
The dynamics in his coalition have helped raise the stakes in the cease-fire discussions: The threat of dissent from his far-right members has made him especially cautious about pursuing a deal, which could mean the collapse of the government and even elections.
With the political situation little less than muddled, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said it has received the list of captives and has started informing their families. The Hamas movement has also now issued a statement on Telegram that it has handed over the names to mediators-a seeming breakthrough.
While there has been ongoing fighting, Gaza’s civil defense teams-who have been at the very forefront of rescuing people-are seen in footage verified by Al Jazeera celebrating a truce that has finally been agreed, after earlier delays.
Analysts are more cautiously optimistic about how the ceasefire will be implemented. “The next couple of weeks are going to be quite problematic,” said Yossi Mekelberg from Chatham House. “It’s going to take a lot of careful navigation on both sides to make this work.” He added that many Israelis felt that a diplomatic deal, not military action, would have secured the freedom of the captives.
As the situation develops, Abu Obeida, the spokesman of Hamas’s armed wing, has now confirmed the release of three Israeli hostages, which has been an actual step toward the current negotiating process.
