2025-01-19 08:46:00
The Iran-backed militant group Hamas said that it released the names of three Israeli hostages it planned to release on Sunday, amid the delay in ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel had earlier said that it would continue fighting in Gaza until it received the list of 33 hostages to be released by Hamas, delaying the ceasefire by over two hours.
Hamas said that it would release three female hostages, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, as part of the ceasefire deal on Sunday.
There was no immediate comment from Israel after Hamas published the names of the hostages on social media, news agency The Associated Press reported.
Earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces had said that it continues to “operate and strike terrorist targets” in Gaza.
Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said the truce would not begin until Hamas handed over the names of the hostages to be released later on Sunday, echoing an earlier statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The truce, which had been set to go into effect at 8.30 am local time on Sunday, has been delayed for over two hours. This phase of the ceasefire deal was expected to last for 42 days.
A total of 33 of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas are expected to be freed during the ceasefire, which is being mediated by Qatar, news agency Reuters said. Similarly, Israel will also free around 2,000 Palestinians who are currently lodged in several prisons.
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