Gaza Ceasefire Starts After Delay; Hamas Lists Hostages for Sunday

An Israeli official confirmed that Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were set to be released on Sunday

- Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH: A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began after a three-hour delay as Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to free later on Sunday. Israel had vowed to keep fighting until it received the names, as the long and uncertain process aimed at ending the war got off to a bumpy start.

Celebrations erupted across the war-ravaged territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes despite the delay, which underscored the fragility of the agreement. The truce, which started at 11:15 am local time, is a first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered it.

An Israeli official confirmed that Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were set to be released later on Sunday. Gonen was abducted from the Nova music festival, while the other two were kidnapped from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Damari is an Israeli-British dual citizen.

The official said the families had approved the publication of the names. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners before the original time for the ceasefire to start. The military said it would continue to attack targets in Gaza until the names were provided.

An Israeli airstrike killed at least eight people in the southern city of Khan Younis after the ceasefire was delayed.