Gaza Ceasefire Begins After Nearly 3-Hour Delay

Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip): A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began after a three-hour delay as Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to free later on Sunday. Israel had vowed to keep fighting until it received the names, as the long and uncertain process aimed at ending the war got off to a bumpy start.

Celebrations erupted across the war-ravaged territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes despite the delay, which underscored the fragility of the agreement. The truce, which started at 11.15 am local time, is a first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners. The names of the three hostages had not been handed over when the deadline for the truce to begin passed at 8.30 am local time. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the top Israeli military spokesman, said the army “continues to attack" and would until Hamas complies with the agreement.

The military later said it had struck a number of militant targets in northern and central Gaza. An Israeli airstrike killed at least eight people in the southern city of Khan Younis after the ceasefire was delayed. Nasser Hospital confirmed the casualties from Sunday's strike, which it said had occurred around two hours after the truce was supposed to take effect.