A long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on Sunday, ending over a month of devastation and political upheaval in Gaza, albeit after significant delays. The truce, which was initially scheduled to begin earlier in the day, was delayed by nearly three hours, with the ceasefire officially commencing at 11:15 am local time (09:15 GMT, 2:45 pm IST).
The delay stemmed from a last-minute directive by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who ordered that the truce not begin until Israel had received a list of hostages to be released by Hamas. During this period, the Israeli military continued its airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 13 Palestinians before the ceasefire was fully implemented. Palestinian medics reported the casualties from 8:30 am, when the ceasefire was initially meant to start, until the agreed-upon time.
Hamas, in turn, attributed the delay to “technical reasons” and the ongoing bombardment, which complicated the process of sending the hostages’ names to Israel. After much anticipation, Hamas released the names of the first three Israeli women to be freed: Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari.
Also Read: Gaza war: Israel and Hamas reach ceasefire, hostage release deal
A Palestinian official revealed that mediators had requested a 48-hour period of calm before the ceasefire’s start, but Israeli strikes had made it difficult to complete the process on time. After receiving the hostages’ list, Israel confirmed that the truce would go ahead, signaling a temporary halt to the conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, is part of a three-phase deal. The first stage will last for six weeks and will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including members of militant groups and those convicted for attacks on Israelis. Some of the Palestinian detainees have been in custody since the war’s onset.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, has left much of Gaza in ruins, with nearly 47,000 Palestinians killed. It has also sparked a larger confrontation in the Middle East, involving Iran and Hezbollah, who have supported Hamas in its fight against Israel. The ceasefire brings a temporary reprieve to the region, offering a glimmer of hope for peace amid the ongoing devastation.
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