The long-anticipated ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was delayed Sunday after the required list of captives set for release was not provided before the agreed-upon deadline. The truce, scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time, was put on hold as military operations in Gaza continued.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the ceasefire would not commence without receiving the names of hostages from Hamas.
“The Israel Defense Forces will continue operations until all obligations under the agreement are met,” Netanyahu stated.
The hostage exchange, part of a broader three-phase agreement, was set to begin with the release of three female hostages on Sunday.
Hamas had committed to providing their names by Saturday but cited technical reasons for the delay, reiterating its commitment to the deal.
The ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, outlines a 42-day halt to fighting.
In return, 33 Israeli hostages will be gradually released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also includes provisions for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
There are 97 hostages currently held by Hamas, but only 60 are believed to be alive, including seven Americans. The breakthrough deal follows 15 months of intense conflict, during which tens of thousands of Palestinians have lost their lives.
