Hamas, responding to the delay, attributed it to “technical field reasons” while reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the military to postpone the start of the scheduled Gaza ceasefire until Hamas provides the list of captives set for release. The ceasefire, initially set to begin at 8:30 am (06:30 GMT), hinges on the submission of these details, which Hamas pledged under the terms of a deal announced last week. Netanyahu’s office issued a statement on Sunday emphasizing that Israel would not proceed without this critical information.

Israel continues to attack Gaza as agreed truce delayed amid Hamas dispute

Hamas, responding to the delay, attributed it to “technical field reasons” while reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement. The group stated that the exchange of captives remains part of the agreed terms, and efforts are underway to finalize the process. Observers note that such delays are not uncommon in sensitive negotiations of this nature, particularly amid ongoing tensions in the region.

International stakeholders, including Qatar, are reportedly exerting significant pressure on both sides to ensure the ceasefire proceeds as planned. Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Amman, highlighted the strong global push for the agreement’s implementation, stressing the likelihood of eventual progress despite potential delays. This ceasefire marks a critical phase in ongoing efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.