2.6 C
New York
Thursday, February 13, 2025

At Last Minute, Israel Delays Gaza Ceasefire, Demands Hostage List

Must read

JERUSALEM, Israel – A critical ceasefire in Gaza was postponed on Sunday, January 19, 2025, the morning after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted on receiving a comprehensive list of hostages slated for release by Hamas before the truce could begin.

The ceasefire, initially scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. local time, was delayed as Hamas failed to provide the names in time.

Netanyahu, addressing the delay, reiterated that the ceasefire would not commence until the list was delivered.

Hamas attributed the delay to unspecified “technical field reasons” but reaffirmed its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement announced last week.

Under the agreement, Hamas is expected to release three hostages later on Sunday, with Israel releasing scores of Palestinian detainees in return.

The first phase of the ceasefire, set to last 42 days, includes the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, as well as the establishment of a buffer zone in Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes.

A Ceasefire with High Stakes

The ceasefire is intended to halt the 15-month-long war, which has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled Health Ministry.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack in southern Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking hostages.

Hundreds of Israeli soldiers have also died in the fighting.

The truce, if implemented, would allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, where 90% of the population has been displaced and vital infrastructure severely damaged.

Rebuilding efforts are expected to take years, contingent on the success of the ceasefire.

International Pressure

Both outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have pressed for a resolution to the conflict before Monday’s presidential inauguration.

Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement early Saturday during a rare Sabbath session, two days after mediators brokered the deal.

Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are scheduled to begin in two weeks.

This phase will address the release of over 100 additional hostages still held by Hamas and other unresolved issues.

Global Implications

The United Nations has described the situation in Gaza as a humanitarian catastrophe, warning of genocide and calling for accountability.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes, though both Israel and the U.S. do not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction.

As the world watches, the delay underscores the fragility of the ceasefire and the challenges ahead.

Questions remain about whether this truce can lead to a lasting peace or if the war will resume once the six-week period concludes.

More articles

- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -Top 20 Blogs Lifestyle

Latest article