After 15-Month War, Gaza Ceasefire Finally Takes Effect As Hamas Names 3 Hostages To Be Released Today

New Delhi: The Gaza ceasefire finally looks to be materialising after Hamas handed over a list of the hostages slated for release on Sunday.

Israel said the ceasefire will be effective from 11.15 am local time (2.45 pm IST).

After hours of delay, the Gaza ceasefire came into effect on Sunday after Hamas released the names of the first three Israeli hostages to be freed,

The pause in hostilities in the 15-month-old war, that has brought devastation to Gaza and losses to Israel also, was initially scheduled to begin at 8 am (local time). But there was a last-minute delay on the orders of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted that Hamas must give the names of hostages they are planning to release on this day.

During the delay, Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israel’s military — Israel Defense Forces (IDF) — continued to strike Palestinian territory. IDF also confirmed it was continuing to “strike within the Gaza area” following Netanyahu’s directive.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks killed 13 Palestinians between 8.30 am and 11.15 am, Palestinian medics said.

Once Hamas handed over the list of three female hostages to be freed in the afternoon, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) agreed to start the ceasefire.

Hamas said the delay in sharing the list was due to “technical reasons and complexities of the field situation and the continued bombing.”