Gaza Ceasefire Begins Following Hostage List Release

A ceasefire in Gaza commenced on Sunday at 09:15 GMT after Israel confirmed it had received the names of hostages set for release by Hamas.

The agreement, following months of tense negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, marks a critical step in easing the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier announced a delay, citing the absence of necessary details from Hamas regarding the hostages. Hamas attributed the holdup to “technical field reasons,” reaffirming its commitment to the deal.

In the hours leading up to the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least eight Palestinians, according to Gaza’s civil emergency services. Pro-Hamas media reported Israeli troops withdrawing from Rafah toward the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Israel’s military urged Gaza residents to avoid troop movements and await official transit instructions post-ceasefire.

The agreement outlines a six-week first phase. During this period, 33 hostages—including women, children, and vulnerable individuals—will be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The prisoner list includes 737 individuals, including members of militant groups and detainees from Gaza.

Initial exchanges are expected to begin Sunday afternoon, with three female hostages to be released in exchange for 30 Palestinian detainees. Further releases will occur weekly, following a structured timeline.

Phase two, scheduled to start on March 1, 2025, includes the release of remaining captives—dead or alive—and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This phase also seeks to establish a permanent ceasefire. By April 12, phase three aims to initiate an international reconstruction plan for Gaza. However, the administration of post-war Gaza remains undecided, with the U.S. advocating for a reformed Palestinian Authority to take charge.

The ceasefire also stipulates the partial withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced Palestinians to areas in northern Gaza.

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration worked closely with Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to finalize the deal. Former President Donald Trump also pushed for rapid resolution, warning of severe consequences if hostages remained in captivity.

This truce aims to end over 15 months of conflict triggered by the October 7 attack. While fragile, it represents a significant step toward reducing hostilities and addressing humanitarian concerns in the region.

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