Ceasefire in Gaza Begins After Delay as Hamas Names Three Hostages for Release

A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza finally began on Sunday after a three-hour delay, following a tense standoff over the release of hostages. Hamas announced the names of the three female hostages it plans to free, triggering the start of the truce at 11:15 a.m. local time. The delay, however, underscored the fragility of the agreement as both sides continue to navigate the complex terms of the deal.

The ceasefire is seen as a first step toward ending the conflict, which began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that led to the abduction of nearly 100 hostages. Despite the delay, celebrations erupted across Gaza as some Palestinians began returning to their homes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously vowed to continue military operations until Hamas provided the names of the hostages it planned to release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. When the truce was supposed to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time, the names had not been delivered, causing further tension. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesman, confirmed that Israeli forces would continue their operations until Hamas fully complied with the terms of the agreement.