A ceasefire has gone into effect in Gaza following hours of delays after Hamas released the names of three female Israeli captives in the enclave which Israel said it had yet to receive.
Hamas said it handed over to mediators on Sunday the names of the three Israeli female captives to be released by the group in Gaza, according to a statement. Those released are Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari.
Netanyahu’s office had issued a statement less than an hour before the truce was set to start at 8:30 am (0630 GMT), saying he had “instructed the IDF (military) that the ceasefire… will not begin until Israel has received the list” of captives to be freed.
While “affirming its commitment” to the ceasefire’s terms, Hamas said, “The delay in providing the names of those to be released in the first batch is due to technical reasons. ” Later, it added that the list would be given “at any moment.”
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli strikes killed at least eight people and wounded more than 25 on Sunday after Israel said a long-awaited ceasefire in the war had been delayed.
Agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal said three people were killed in northern Gaza and five in Gaza City, with 25 wounded.
