Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a security assessment regarding the delay in receiving the list of hostages expected to be released Sunday morning as part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas.
Netanyahu informed the Israeli Defense Forces that the cease-fire would not commence until Israel obtains the list of expected hostages to be freed.
The cease-fire agreement is scheduled to take effect Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, with Hamas committing to provide the list of hostages.
Hamas attributed the delay in providing the names to “technical field reasons,” reiterating its commitment to the cease-fire deal announced the previous week.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS ISRAEL-HAMAS CEASE-FIRE GOES INTO EFFECT ON SUNDAY
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to follow through with the eradication of Hamas . (REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Pool/File Photo)
Israel’s Cabinet approved the deal early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza that would include the release of dozens of hostages and pause the war with Hamas that began after the terror group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the Jewish State.
The agreement entails the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians held by Israel. The remaining hostages will be released in a subsequent phase to be negotiated later.
Hamas has agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the agreement, four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the next five weeks.
A girl pauses at a mural of female Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Hebrew reads: “look them in the eyes.” (AP)
Hamas has stated they will not release the remaining hostages without a sustainable cease-fire and a complete Israeli withdrawal.
This marks the second cease-fire achieved during the conflict.
Gaza is anticipated to receive an increase in humanitarian assistance when the cease-fire takes effect.
ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES WILL RECEIVE HOSTAGES SUNDAY WITH EQUIPPED CAMPER TRAILERS AND COMFORTING SUPPLIES
A wall covered with photos of hostages held in the Gaza Strip after the deadly Oct 7 Hamas attack calling for the release of the hostages on January 17, 2025, in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images)
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The 15-month-long war in Gaza started when Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and around 250 abductions, prompting a military response from Israeli forces. Nearly 100 hostages are still held captive in Gaza.
According to the Hamas-run government’s local health officials, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s offensive, without distinction between civilians and militants.
