jordan pulse -
Israeli Channel 12 reported that "Israel has received the list of three female detainees expected to be released today, Sunday," following the implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement at 14:00 GMT. Hopes are high for an end to Israel’s bombing and the bloody massacres that have plagued Gaza's residents for 470 days.
The Israeli military initially announced that the ceasefire would not take effect because Hamas had not yet submitted the list of detainees for release. However, Hamas confirmed its commitment to the agreement, attributing the delay to technical field issues.
The Gaza Civil Defence reported that Israeli strikes since the ceasefire began resulted in 10 deaths and 25 injuries.
According to Haaretz, senior Israeli officials stated that Hamas's delay in providing the names does not signal the collapse of the agreement, which remains on track as planned.
The first phase of the agreement, spanning six weeks, includes the release of 33 Israeli captives in Gaza in exchange for 737 Palestinian prisoners. Three Israeli female detainees will be released this evening, with 30 Palestinian detainees freed for each Israeli captive.
The Israeli military began withdrawing its equipment from central Rafah to the Philadelphi Corridor near the Egyptian border. Israeli Army Radio reported that the Nahal Brigade’s 932nd Battalion had left Gaza.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the ceasefire would begin at 8:30 a.m. local time. It advised caution and urged adherence to official directives.
Day one of the agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from residential areas, suspension of Israeli flights over Gaza for 12 hours, and the delivery of 600 humanitarian aid trucks daily. Prisoner exchanges will commence per agreed protocols.
Early Sunday, Israeli aircraft, artillery, and naval forces launched heavy strikes on Gaza, Jabalia, Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, and Rafah.
Israeli Threats
Israeli Army Radio reported Sunday morning that Hamas had not yet provided the list of three detainees expected to be released. An unnamed Israeli official warned that without the list, the ceasefire would not proceed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that he conducted a nighttime security assessment regarding the delay and instructed that the ceasefire agreement not be implemented until the list was received.
Hamas Response
Hamas reiterated its commitment to the agreement, explaining that technical issues caused the delay. The group asserted that it forced Israel to halt aggression, withdraw forces, and end its plans to prolong the war.
In a statement, Hamas highlighted the importance of lifting the blockade, providing aid, allowing displaced residents to return, and starting reconstruction efforts, all of which have been priorities since the conflict began.
US Position
Axios reported that President-elect Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor assured families of American captives that the administration would support all phases of the Gaza agreement.
NBC quoted a transition team official stating that Trump’s envoy to the Middle East plans to visit Gaza to support the ceasefire. The envoy is expected to remain in the region to resolve potential issues affecting the agreement.
The official added that improving living conditions for Gazans and giving them hope is critical to avoiding further unrest.