Photo Credit: Oren Cohen / Flash 90
IDF soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip.

The release of the names of the hostages set to be freed in the initial phase has been delayed due to “technical circumstances” and ground conditions, according to an official statement from Hamas. However, the terrorist organization reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the ceasefire, originally scheduled to begin at 8:30 AM Sunday, would be delayed until Israel receives the list of hostages Hamas had pledged to release.

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An Israeli official has warned that if the list of hostages is not provided, Israel will not implement the ceasefire at 8:30 AM. Intense pressure is being applied on both sides to resolve the issue.

However, Arab media outlets reported Sunday morning that the IDF has begun withdrawing from the Rafah area in the southern Gaza Strip toward the Philadelphi corridor along the border with Egypt. This move is part of the ceasefire agreement officially signed on Friday, which came into effect Sunday.

Netanyahu’s cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages on Saturday night. The decision was supported by 24 ministers, while eight opposed it, including ministers from Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, and Amichai Chikli and David Amsalem from Likud. The agreement stipulates that in all stages of Phase A, civilian and military women, as well as all living hostages, will be released first.

Political discussions are anticipated regarding responses to potential violations of the ceasefire by Hamas. Mediating countries will establish a mechanism to investigate violations on either side, with Egypt expected to manage the process. Hamas has announced that the release of hostages is contingent on the number of terrorists freed by Israel. A source in Hamas told the organization’s newspaper, A-Risala, that not every name published by Israel is guaranteed to be released.

The ceasefire and hostage release agreement includes provisions that may allow Hamas to maintain control over the Gaza Strip. For instance, the private security company set to replace the IDF in inspecting the Netzarim corridor will only have the authority to inspect vehicles, not individuals. This could enable senior terrorists like Muhammad Sinwar to move freely within Gaza and reach the northern part of the strip.

Additionally, during the ceasefire, injured Hamas terrorists may leave Gaza for medical treatment abroad and return afterward, because their status would be classified as “departing” rather than “deported.”

In that context, IDF spokesperson for Arabic media, Avichai Edrei, announced that even after the ceasefire begins, traveling from the south to the north of the Gaza Strip across the Netzarim corridor remains dangerous. He stated that an additional announcement would be made once movement becomes safe.

In a Sunday morning tweet, Edrei also cautioned against approaching the Philadelphi corridor, the Rafah crossing, or the beach in the coming days.


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David writes news at JewishPress.com.