Gaza Ceasefire To Begin Only After Hamas Provides Hostage List –Isreali Prime Minister Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the scheduled ceasefire in Gaza would not take effect unless Hamas provided a list of hostages to be released.
The ceasefire, planned to start at 0630 GMT, was contingent upon Hamas fulfilling its commitment to provide the list, as stated by Netanyahu’s office.
“The prime minister instructed the IDF (military) that the ceasefire, which is scheduled to take effect at 8:30 am, will not begin until Israel has received the list of released hostages, as Hamas has committed to providing.”
Hamas, in response, confirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but explained that the delay in providing the hostages’ names was due to “technical reasons,” as the group stated, “The delay in providing the names of those to be released in the first batch is due to technical reasons.”
Netanyahu also emphasized that Israel reserved the right to resume military action if necessary and reiterated that the ceasefire was temporary.
He added that the swap of Palestinian prisoners for hostages would not take place without the list being delivered.
Late on Saturday, Netanyahu had warned, “The swap of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages on Sunday would not happen unless the list of captives was provided.”
The ceasefire follows lengthy negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.
