Sun. Feb 9th, 2025

Netanyahu warns that ceasefire will not begin until there is a list of hostages

Benjamin Netanyahu Photo: GPO via Facebook

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he had not yet received the list of names of the three hostages who were to be released today as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, and said the truce would not begin until Israel had that list.

"The prime minister has ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that the ceasefire, which is due to go into effect at 8.30:XNUMX a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of the released hostages, which Hamas has pledged to provide," Netanyahu's office said in a brief statement.

The president held a security meeting last night to discuss the issue of the list, which the Islamic terrorist group was supposed to have handed over 24 hours before the release of the hostages, scheduled for this Sunday at 16.00:XNUMX p.m.

Hamas, for its part, argued on Sunday that it is committed to the agreement and that the delay is due to "technical reasons on the ground," without offering further details.

Yesterday, Netanyahu had already warned that Israel would not begin preparations to release imprisoned Palestinian terrorists without having the names of the hostages who are to be released today.

In the first phase of the deal, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a six-week ceasefire, during which 33 Israeli hostages will be exchanged gradually for more than 1.900 Palestinian terrorist prisoners.

During those six weeks, negotiations will also take place for a second phase of the truce, which would complete the release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza and lay the groundwork for an end to the war.

The ceasefire was due to take effect at 8.30:90 a.m., after which three Israeli hostages in Gaza and XNUMX Palestinian terrorists held in Israeli jails would be released.

Despite the warning from Netanyahu's office, the Israel Defense Forces reported yesterday, Saturday, that they have completed preparations to receive the hostages who will begin returning to Israel today.

Agencies contributed to this Aurora article

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.