A long-anticipated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas finally took effect on Sunday after a three-hour delay, triggered by a dispute over the names of three female hostages Hamas pledged to release as part of the agreement. The truce, originally set to begin at 8.30 am local time, was postponed until Hamas provided the names of the hostages, a condition Israel insisted upon before halting its military operations in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of failing to uphold its commitment to provide the names ahead of the scheduled ceasefire.
Until the information was received, the Israeli military continued its strikes on Gaza, with reports of at least 13 Palestinians killed and 30 others wounded during the delay. Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not cease its efforts until it secured the hostages' identities and adhered to the terms of the ceasefire.
Hamas, which blamed the delay on "technical field reasons," eventually released the names of the three women - Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher-who are set to be freed later on Sunday.
The ceasefire agreement, announced earlier in the week, marks a temporary pause in the ongoing conflict and a critical step in efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, three Israeli hostages are expected to be released on Sunday, with the process likely to commence after 4 p.m. local time. A total of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza are set to be freed during the first phase of the truce, which is planned to last six weeks.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the ceasefire does not mark the end of Israel's objectives in the Gaza war. Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Saar stated that the return of hostages and the dismantling of Hamas' government and military capabilities remain key goals for Israel.
He added that peace, stability, and security for both sides are unattainable as long as Hamas remains in power in Gaza.
The delay in the ceasefire's implementation underscores the fragility of the agreement and the complexities involved in negotiating an end to the conflict.
WHAT ARE THE 3 PHASES OF THE ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASEFIRE?
Outgoing US President Joe Biden recently confirmed that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. The deal, structured into three phases, includes a six-week preliminary ceasefire during which both sides will take steps toward de-escalation and exchange hostages held by each party.
According to Biden, the first phase of the agreement will see a systematic withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of hostages.
The United States played a significant role in facilitating the release of hostages during this initial stage. Injured Palestinians will also be allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment, and Israel has agreed to open the Rafah crossing with Egypt seven days after the ceasefire takes effect.
"During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to move into phase two, which aims for a permanent end to the war," Biden stated, underscoring the temporary nature of the initial truce and the work required to achieve lasting peace.
The second and third phases of the deal, while agreed upon in principle, are subject to negotiations during the first phase. In phase two, if certain conditions are met, Hamas is expected to release all remaining captives, primarily male Israeli soldiers, in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners. This phase would also see the commencement of Israel's complete withdrawal from Gaza.
Phase three envisions the return of the bodies of captives held by Hamas. In return, an international reconstruction plan for Gaza, spanning three to five years, would be initiated under global supervision to rebuild the war-torn region.
"This agreement was developed and negotiated by my administration, but its terms will largely be implemented by the incoming administration. Over the past few days, we have worked as a united team," Biden remarked, signalling bipartisan cooperation on the matter.
The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israeli communities, breaching security barriers and killing an estimated 12,000 soldiers and civilians. The militants also took approximately 250 hostages during the incursion.
In response, Israel launched an extensive military campaign in Gaza, leading to devastating consequences. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 46,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, with hundreds of thousands displaced and forced to live in makeshift camps.
US President-elect Donald Trump had demanded the Israel-Hamas truce be pulled off as quickly as possible, clubbed with a warning that there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not returned.
Trump's Middle East Ambassador Steve Witkoff held extensive talks and worked closely with outgoing President Joe Biden to get done with the deal.
Source: India Today