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PremiumIsrael-Hamas Ceasefire Highlights: Three Israeli hostages released on Sunday from Gaza were reunited with their families. 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees were also released early on Monday, hours after three Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity. As the ceasefire took effect, thousands of displaced, war-weary Palestinians set off across the devastated Gaza Strip to return home.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal this week — temporarily pausing the devastating 15-month Gaza war. The deal sets in motion a long and uncertain process aimed at ultimately ending the war and returning nearly 100 hostages (abducted during the October 2023 Hamas attack) to Israel. The ceasefire had initially been slated to begin at 8:30 am local time on Sunday — around noon in India.
Israeli airstrikes amid delay
Israeli airstrikes however continued on Sunday morning amid a delayed start to the temporary truce — killing at least eight people in the southern city of Khan Younis. Nasser Hospital confirmed that the attack took place around two hours after the truce was supposed to take effect. The Hamas-run Health Ministry reported three more deaths from strikes in Gaza City on Sunday.
The ceasefire was delayed by several hours on Sunday — purportedly because had Hamas failed to share the names of hostages who would be handed over on Sunday. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari — a top Israeli military spokesman — had also indicated that the army “continues to attack, even now, inside the Gaza arena" He contended that this would continue until Hamas complied with the agreement.
Why did the ceasefire deal start late?
Israel has blamed Hamas for the delay after the Palestinian militant group failed to provide a list naming the first three hostages to be released. Meanwhile Hamas attributed the delay to "technical" reasons without specifying details. A Palestinian official familiar with the matter told Reuters that the delay occurred because mediators had asked for 48 hours of "calm" before the ceasefire's implementation. However continued Israeli strikes right up until the deadline had made it difficult to send the list.
Catch live updates with Mint.
