Netanyahu says cease-fire will not begin until Israel receives list of hostages to be freed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security situation assessment to address the delay in receiving the list of hostages set to be released as part of a cease-fire agreement with Hamas. Netanyahu made it clear to the Israeli Defense Forces that the cease-fire would not commence until the list of hostages was in their possession.

The cease-fire agreement is scheduled to take effect on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time, with Hamas committing to providing the list of hostages. However, Hamas cited “technical field reasons” for the delay in submitting the names but reiterated their commitment to the cease-fire deal announced the previous week.

The Israeli Cabinet approved the deal early Saturday morning, which includes the release of 33 hostages over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The remaining hostages will be released in a second phase to be negotiated later on.

Hamas agreed to release three female hostages on the first day of the agreement, followed by four on the seventh day, and the remaining 26 over the subsequent five weeks. The terror group stated that they would not release the remaining hostages without a lasting cease-fire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from the region.

This marks the second cease-fire achieved during the ongoing conflict, with Gaza anticipated to receive a significant increase in humanitarian aid once the cease-fire comes into effect.

As the Israel Defense Forces prepare to receive the hostages on Sunday, equipped camper trailers and comforting supplies are being made ready for their arrival. The hostages, who have been held captive in Gaza since the deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, will finally be reunited with their families.

The 15-month-long war in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with Hamas launching a surprise attack that led to the deaths of roughly 1,200 people and the abduction of around 250 others. Israeli forces retaliated, resulting in the deaths of more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run government’s health officials.

As the region prepares for the implementation of the cease-fire agreement, all eyes are on the successful release of the hostages and the potential for lasting peace in the conflict-ridden area.

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