After a delay caused by Israel’s demand for the list of hostages to be released by Hamas, the first phase of the ceasefire-hostage agreement between Hamas and Israel was implemented today. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the deal would begin at 11:15 am (local time) on Sunday, although it was initially scheduled for 08:30 am on January 19.
According to the statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office on X, the ceasefire took effect at the revised time. The Israeli government also confirmed that it had received the list of hostages to be released, and Brigadier General Gal Hirsch would oversee the coordination of hostages and missing persons. The government emphasized the importance of protecting the privacy of the hostages’ families.
Earlier, a delay occurred when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that Israel would not move forward with the deal until receiving the list of hostages to be released. Netanyahu warned that any violations of the agreement would be unacceptable and that Hamas would be held responsible.
The ceasefire and hostage release deal, which had been approved by the Israeli government earlier in the week, was signed by Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Doha after final obstacles were cleared. The deal is intended to end the 15-month conflict that began after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7.
