Netanyahu has demanded the hostages to be released are named (Image: Getty)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded that Hamas name the first hostages that will be freed
His office said on Sunday: “The prime minister instructed the IDF (Israeli Defence Force) that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30am, will not begin until has the that Hamas has pledged to provide.”
Hamas responded soon after Mr Netanyahu’s remarks, saying the group is still committed to the ceasefire and the delay in handing over a list of names was due to “technical field reasons.”
On Sunday, Mr Netanyahu also warned that is prepared to resume its war against Hamas in Gaza if the ceasefire deal fails.
The first stage would see Hamas release 33 of the hostages they captured during their brutal October 7 2023 attack, which also saw over 1,200 Israelis killed.
Around 46,000 people have been killed in Gaza (Image: Getty)
In exchange, would set free 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female Israeli soldier and 30 for other hostages. Seven female Israeli soldiers were taken captive. One was rescued in October 2023 but another died in captivity.
Palestinians would also be allowed to return to their homes in Gaza, many of which have been destroyed during a military campaign which has seen Israeli strikes kill 46,000 people.
In the second phase, Hamas would allow the remaining hostages to return to while more Palestinian prisoners are freed. would then completely withdraw from Gaza.
Finally, the third phase would see the exchange of the bodies of those killed so they can be repatriated. A reconstruction plan for Gaza would also be established.
The ceasefire deal was reached with the help of American, Israeli, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari has said that the ceasefire – planned for 6:30am GMT – has now been delayed and Israeli will continue military operations in Gaza.
He also claimed that Hamas is failing to meet their obligations.
According to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, ‘s militaty campaign has led to 46,000 deaths in the Palestinian territory since October 7.
Around 100 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza (Image: Getty)
Millions of people in Gaza have been displaced (Image: Getty)
Shlomo Brom, a former brigadier general in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), told the Daily Express that the ceasefire may break down, as has happened before.
“It may happen for two possible reasons”, he said. “One is because of what one party might do. An incident where one side opens fire and talks collapse.
“But, the most probable reason is that the two sides have an interest to keep this stage of the ceasefire. Hamas, because they need time to breath after the very difficult situation they are in.
“For the Israelis, because of the concern of Netanyahu that Trump will feel that he is out-maneuvering him, and he may feel the need to react.”
Mr Brom added that Hamas likely does not know the location or status of all of the remaining hostages because a number of smaller Palestinian groups also captured Israelis on October 7.
He continued: “It will be very difficult for Hamas to committ to releasing all of the hostages.
“Hamas may not be capable or even willing to release them. They might want to keep hostages as a guarantee.”
Gershon Baskin, an Israeli peace negotiator who remains in contact with Hamas, told the Daily Express that the deal is a “bad one” because the release of all the hostages is still delayed.
He added that there is also no clear plan for who will rule in Gaza after the war.
Mr Baskin blamed both and Hamas for the deadlock, while calling for to hold “new elections” and for the Palestinians to “hold Hamas responsible for the disaster they brought onto the Palestinian people and on Gaza.”
He concluded: “This really has to be the last Israeli-Palestinian war. We cannot keep doing this to each other.”
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