Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Begins After Delay, Set To Take Place In Three Phases

A long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was implemented on Sunday, following a three-hour delay due to a dispute over the names of three female hostages Hamas had promised to release under the agreement.

Initially scheduled to begin at 8:30 am local time, the truce was postponed until Hamas provided the names of the hostages, a condition Israel insisted upon before halting its military operations in Gaza.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Hamas of not fulfilling its promise to provide the hostages' names ahead of the ceasefire. Until this information was received, Israeli forces continued their strikes on Gaza, reportedly killing at least 13 Palestinians and wounding 30 others during the delay.

Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would not cease its operations until the hostages' identities were secured and the terms of the ceasefire were met.

Hamas, citing "technical field reasons," eventually released the names of the three women-Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher-who are expected to be freed later on Sunday.

The ceasefire agreement, which had been announced earlier in the week, marks a temporary halt in the ongoing conflict and an important step toward addressing Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, three Israeli hostages are set to be released on Sunday, with the process likely beginning after 4 pm local time. In the first phase of the truce, 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza are due to be freed over the next six weeks.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasised that the ceasefire does not signal the end of Israel's objectives in Gaza.

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Saar stated that securing the return of hostages and dismantling Hamas' government and military capabilities remain key Israeli goals. He also noted that peace, stability, and security for both sides are unachievable as long as Hamas remains in power in Gaza.

The delay in implementing the ceasefire highlights the fragility of the agreement and the complexities involved in negotiating an end to the conflict.

Three Phases of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

Outgoing US President Joe Biden confirmed that Israel and Hamas had reached a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing war in Gaza. The deal, structured into three phases, includes a six-week preliminary ceasefire during which both sides will take steps toward de-escalation and exchange hostages.

According to Biden, the first phase will see a systematic withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of hostages.

The United States played a key role in facilitating the release of hostages during this initial phase. Injured Palestinians will also be allowed to leave Gaza for medical treatment, and Israel has agreed to open the Rafah crossing with Egypt seven days after the ceasefire takes effect.

"During the next six weeks, Israel will negotiate the necessary arrangements to move into phase two, which aims for a permanent end to the war," Biden explained, emphasising the temporary nature of the initial truce and the work needed to achieve lasting peace.

While the second and third phases have been agreed upon in principle, their implementation will depend on negotiations during the first phase. In phase two, if certain conditions are met, Hamas is expected to release all remaining captives, primarily male Israeli soldiers, in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners. This phase will also see the beginning of Israel's full withdrawal from Gaza.

Phase three anticipates the return of the bodies of captives held by Hamas. In return, an international reconstruction plan for Gaza, spanning three to five years, would be initiated under global supervision to rebuild the war-torn region.

"This agreement was developed and negotiated by my administration, but its terms will largely be implemented by the incoming administration," Biden remarked, signalling bipartisan cooperation on the matter.

The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israeli communities, breaching security barriers and killing an estimated 12,000 soldiers and civilians. The militants also took approximately 250 hostages during the incursion.

In response, Israel launched a comprehensive military campaign in Gaza, resulting in devastating consequences. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 46,000 people have died since the conflict began, with hundreds of thousands displaced and forced to live in makeshift camps.

US President-elect Donald Trump had urged for the Israel-Hamas truce to be finalised as quickly as possible, warning that there would be "hell to pay" if the hostages were not returned.

Trump's Middle East Ambassador, Steve Witkoff, held extensive talks and worked closely with outgoing President Joe Biden to bring the deal to fruition.