Hamas blamed the delay on “technical field reasons” and said in a statement that it was committed to the ceasefire deal.
The ceasefire paused fighting after 15 months of fighting. Brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt during months of indirect talks between the warring sides, the ceasefire represents the second truce in the devastating conflict.
Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas gathered in Tel Aviv as the hostage exchange was taking place.Credit: AP
The Hamas October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel killed some 1200 people and left 251 others captive. Hamas still held 94 hostages when the ceasefire took effect.
Israel responded with an offensive that has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not distinguish between civilians and militants but say women and children make up more than half the dead.
There is no detailed plan in place to govern Gaza after the war, much less rebuild it. Any return of Hamas to control in Gaza would test Israel’s commitment to the truce. Israel has said it would resume the war unless the militant group, which has run the enclave since 2007, is fully dismantled.
An Israeli helicopter believed to be involved in the transfer of hostages is pictured near Re’im, near the Gaza border.Credit: Getty Images
Hardline Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir quit the cabinet on Sunday over the ceasefire, though his party said it would not try to bring down Netanyahu’s government. Another prominent hardliner, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, remained in the government but said he would quit if the war ended without Hamas completely destroyed.
Some displaced Palestinians returned to Rafah on Sunday after a ceasefire took hold.Credit: AP
US President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser-designate, Mike Waltz, said that if Hamas reneged on the agreement, the United States would support Israel “in doing what it has to do.” He provided no qualification in terms of what that would entail.
