A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, initially scheduled to take effect at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, remains shrouded in uncertainty. Israeli airstrikes continue to hit Gaza, causing casualties even after the expected deadline. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire "will not begin" until Hamas provides a list of hostages to be released, adding complexity to the situation. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recovered the body of Israeli soldier Oron Shaul from Gaza during a Saturday-night mission, underscoring the ongoing conflict's intensity.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens as over 15 months of bombardment have devastated the Palestinian enclave, leading to severe shortages of food, medical care, and other essentials. The delay in implementing the ceasefire has raised concerns about further civilian casualties and suffering. On Sunday morning alone, Israeli strikes killed at least 10 Palestinians and wounded 25 others, highlighting the immediate need for an end to hostilities.
Israel has demanded that Hamas release the names of hostages before a ceasefire can commence. Netanyahu's office emphasized that the ceasefire "will not begin until Israel has received the list of released hostages, which Hamas has committed to providing." Meanwhile, uncertainty prevails as both sides continue their aggressive postures, with no clear resolution in sight.
More than an hour past the intended ceasefire start time, Israeli strikes persisted across Gaza, killing six people in the Al-Shaaf neighborhood east of Gaza City, three north of Gaza City, and one in Rafah. The exact timing of when the ceasefire might take effect remains unclear, although Israeli officials suggested it may be after 4 p.m. local time.
In response to the prolonged conflict, nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are expected to be freed as part of a broader exchange agreement. The first phase of this deal involves swapping dozens of Israeli hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Additionally, humanitarian aid into Gaza will increase significantly with 600 trucks per day expected to deliver much-needed supplies.
Israeli forces have begun withdrawing from parts of central and eastern Rafah, witnessed by a CNN stringer near Gaza's southernmost city. Despite these movements, airstrikes persist as the Israeli military maintains pressure on Hamas until hostages' names are provided.
Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's commitment to securing the return of its citizens. He stated, "We will not rest until we complete the mission of bringing Hadar Goldin home as well," signaling ongoing efforts to retrieve both living and deceased hostages.
Tensions continue to escalate as various stakeholders weigh in on the situation. A statement from the Otzma Yehudit party criticized the agreement, describing it as "a surrender to Hamas." Itamar Ben Gvir added that since "Hamas has not yet been defeated, it is clear that we must return to war – and therefore, this should not be conditional."
Amidst these developments, families of Israeli hostages anxiously await their loved ones' return. A father expressed his hopes for their recovery: "They will return in a really difficult state. I hope we can give them all the love and all this embrace." A crowd echoed this sentiment with chants of "We want them back alive, not in coffins."
Voices from various sectors continue to call for hope and patience. Einav Zangauker reached out to hostages with a message of encouragement: "I’m calling from here to our beloved hostages – hear our voice, hold onto hope! Soon, you will all be home! We promise you!"
Organizations such as UNRWA express cautious optimism about the ceasefire's potential success. They stated that "The ceasefire is expected to go into effect in a few hours. We follow with anticipation and hold our breath."
