In a significant development in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the first phase of a ceasefire agreement has been implemented, marked by the release of three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian detainees. The hostages—Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher—are all women, and their release was exchanged for the 90 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The ceasefire officially began at 11:15 am Gaza time, nearly three hours later than originally scheduled.
The release of the Palestinian prisoners was greeted with jubilation as the detainees were transported in two buses from an Israeli prison to Beitunia in the occupied West Bank. The sound of celebration filled the air as Palestinians celebrated the momentous occasion.
However, the road to the ceasefire’s implementation was not without tension. Just one hour before the scheduled deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire would not commence unless Hamas provided a list of hostages it intended to release as part of the first phase of the deal. Hamas, on the other hand, remained committed to the deal and explained that the delay was due to “technical and field reasons.”
Also read: Israel-Hamas ceasefire begins after hours-long delay over release of hostage names
Meanwhile, Israel’s military activity continued despite the ceasefire agreement. Airstrikes in Gaza on the same day resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to 25 others. The Israeli Army’s spokesperson confirmed that operations were ongoing, and the military remains on alert, prepared to act if the ceasefire terms were violated by Hamas.
In line with the broader ceasefire plan, which is brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, Israel’s military forces began a withdrawal from Gaza’s Rafah area to the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. This is part of the broader, three-phase ceasefire strategy intended to end the 15-month-long war.
Despite the ceasefire, ongoing hostilities have taken a toll on Gaza, with reports from the Gaza Health Ministry indicating that more than 70 Palestinians have died as a result of Israel’s continued strikes, adding to the growing toll from the conflict, which has already claimed nearly 47,000 Palestinian lives.
