Gaza cease-fire begins with a three hour delay

The ceasefire in Gaza went into effect Sunday three hours late because of Hamas's delay in handing over the list of the first hostages to be released. Following the Israeli government's announcement that everything was in order, Qatari authorities confirmed that the truce had begun.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration announced that the agreement would finally go into effect at 9:15 GMT, and not at the scheduled time of 6:30 due to the non-compliances of the terrorist group. The latter, for its part, said the delay was due to "complications on the ground and the continuation of the bombardments.”

Netanyahu loses the support of Ben Gvir's party

Netanyahu clarified in a televised message Saturday that this is "a temporary ceasefire" and that Israel reserves "the right to resume the war with U.S. support" and "with more force." In fact, its initiation raised concerns as Hamas delayed handing over the list of hostages it was supposed to release on Sunday, prompting the Israeli army to launch several strikes early in the morning against targets in northern and central Gaza.

In Israel, the deal generated divisions and Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s party, which was critical of the pact, announced it was leaving Netanyahu's coalition along with the other two members of his party's government.

In a statement, Ben Gvir called the "outrageous" ceasefire agreement a "capitulation to Hamas" and denounced what he called the "release of hundreds of murderers" and the "renunciation of [the Israeli army's] achievements [in the war]" in Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu, however, retains a slim majority in the Israeli parliament despite the departures.

Hamas will release 33 hostages for 737 Palestinian prisoners

According to the agreed text, 33 hostages taken by Hamas terrorists during their attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 will be returned in the first phase of the truce. A total of 737 Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli jails, according to the Israeli Justice Ministry.

A military official said that the release of hostages will take place at three points on Israel's border with Gaza, where they will be treated by medics and then transferred to hospitals.

Gazans take to the streets

For its part, Israel established a list of 95 Palestinian detainees who could be released as early as Sunday, mostly women and children. One of the Palestinian prisoners who is part of the deal is Zakaria al-Zubeidi, former leader of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party.

Following the confirmation, many Gazans took to the streets to celebrate the truce. Some were trying to return to their homes, AFP reports. "We spent the night gathering our things and were already on our way home when we heard the sound of shelling. We can't go home anymore, it's dangerous. I am devastated," said Mohamad Baraka, a displaced Palestinian, in southern Gaza.

The next phases of the ceasefire will be negotiated during this truce

This first phase should cement the way for a definitive end to more than 15 months of war unleashed by the Oct. 7 attack, the deadliest in Israeli history.

During this time, more hostages should be released, before the third and final phase, dedicated to the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of the hostages who died in captivity, will be negotiated.

"Total ceasefire" and 600 trucks of aid

In addition to the hostage releases, the first phase of the agreement includes, according to U.S. President Joe Biden, "a total ceasefire," Israeli withdrawal from densely populated areas of Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid, with 600 trucks.

The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 led to the death of 1,210 people in Israel, mostly civilians. Of the 251 people kidnapped that day, 94 remain hostages in Gaza and 34 are reportedly dead, according to the Israeli military.