Israel and the Hamas have begun a ceasefire, with the truce going into effect at 10:15 a.m. Middle East Time, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Hamas had submitted a list of the names of three hostages who are to be released today. The ceasefire was initially set to begin at 7:30 a.m., but the Hamas failed to provide the list of hostages by that time, prompting the Israeli military to continue its operations.
Israel’s Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and his party, “Jewish Strength”, have announced their withdrawal from the Israeli government coalition, citing opposition to the Gaza deal between Israel and the Hamas. Several politicians submitted their resignation letters on Sunday morning in protest, but the Netanyahu government still maintains a narrow majority in the Knesset, with 62 of the 120 seats.
In Gaza, Hamas fighters have begun to demonstrate their power in the streets, with the Israeli army radio correspondent, Doron Kadosh, reporting that Hamas terrorists in green headbands and Gaza police in uniform are driving through the strip, accompanied by cheers from the crowd.
The Hamas, which has maintained control over the Gaza Strip throughout the war, is using this time to consolidate its power over the strip’s citizens, according to Kadosh.
Hebrew media have confirmed that Israel has received the list of hostages to be released by the Hamas, with the Kassam Brigades’ spokesperson, Abu Obeida, also announcing the names.
Israel and the Hamas had agreed to a 42-day ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, which includes the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held in the Gaza Strip. The deal also envisions a rapid improvement in the supply of food to the more than two million residents of Gaza, who, according to the UN, suffer from a 90% hunger rate. Additionally, the Israeli military is required to withdraw from population centers in the Gaza Strip.