A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was delayed in the Gaza Strip after Hamas failed to provide a list of names of hostages it planned to release as part of the truce deal. The Israel Defense Forces continued to launch strikes in Gaza, resulting in at least nine people killed within an hour of the delay being announced. Hamas stated the delay was due to technical reasons in the field. The ceasefire is meant to end Israeli strikes that have killed thousands of Palestinians and release hostages held by Hamas, with the first phase involving the release of 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The ceasefire is expected to bring relief to families of hostages and Palestinian families whose loved ones have been detained. Another phase of negotiations is expected to aim for a permanent end to the conflict. The war in Gaza resulted from Hamas-led terror attacks in 2023, leading to international condemnation and the issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas officials over alleged crimes. The ceasefire is also expected to allow aid to enter the enclave, addressing a humanitarian crisis marked by food and medicine shortages and widespread hunger and sickness.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
Hostage release and Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas delayed as strikes persist in Gaza
