Israel-Hamas ceasefire live: Won't proceed without hostage list, says Netanyahu in warning ahead of truce deal's phase 1
Israel-Hamas ceasefire live updates: The ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas will formally kick into effect by 6.30 am GMT or 8.30 am Gaza local time. An hour before the deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the ceasefire would not begin unless Hamas provided his government with a list of hostages it would release under phase one of the agreement....Read More
Israeli forces on Sunday began withdrawing from Gaza's Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza. The withdrawal is part of the three-phase ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States, Qatar and Egypt to bring an end to the 15-month-long war that has killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to data from the Gaza health ministry.
Israel continued to strike Gaza after the deal, accusing Hamas of reportedly reneging on certain aspects of the agreement. Post-deal strikes reportedly killed more than 70 Palestinians, said the Gaza health ministry.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire | Key points
- The first stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement is beginning on Sunday. The first phase will last six weeks, and will see the release of 33 of the the remaining 98 hostages - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - by Hamas in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israel.
- On Sunday, three female Israeli hostages will be released by afternoon through the Red Cross, in return for 30 Hamas prisoners. Four more female hostages will be freed after seven days, followed by the release of three further hostages every seven days thereafter, said lead US negotiator Brett McGurk.
- In the first phase, the Israeli army will withdraw from some of its positions in northern Gaza and displaced Palestinians from these areas will be allowed to return.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement exposed the fragile nature of the ceasefire agreement. “We reserve the right to resume the war if necessary, with American support,” he said.
- The ceasefire was brokered by US and Qatar. It comes into effect days before the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump. The Republicans had warned Hamas that there would be “hell to pay” if the hostages were not released swiftly. Trump had also called for a ceasefire deal to be reached swiftly.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Israel PM Netanyahu says ceasefire will not start until Hamas releases hostage list
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Gaza's ceasefire would not begin until the Palestinian militant group Hamas provided a list of hostages to be released under phase one of the deal.
Netanyahu's announcement comes one hour before the ceasefire deadline is set to take effect by 8.30 am local time on Sunday.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Israeli army asks Gazans to avoid buffer zones
The Israeli army warned Gaza residents not to approach its forces or make any movement towards the buffer zone ahead of a ceasefire taking effect Sunday at 0630 GMT.
"We urge you not to head towards the buffer zone or IDF forces for your safety," military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Telegram. "At this stage, heading towards the buffer zone or moving from south to north via Gaza Valley puts you at risk. Anyone heading towards these areas endangers themselves."
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Gazans, Israelis reflect on ceasefire impact
Ahead of the truce, displaced Gazans prepared to return to whatever is left of their homes.
"I will go to kiss my land," said Nasr al-Gharabli, who fled Gaza City for a camp farther south. "If I die on my land, it would be better than being here as a displaced person."
Jerusalem residents said the deal had been coming for a long time.
"Hopefully, a maximum amount of hostages will be coming back", said Beeri Yemeni, a university student. "Maybe this is the beginning of (the) end of suffering for both sides, hopefully," he said, adding that "the war needed to end like a long, long time ago."
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Tensions remain high post-ceasefire deal
Israeli strikes on Gaza continued on the eve of the truce, with at least five members of one family being killed when a strike hit their tent in Khan Yunis, according to the Gaza Civil Defence agency.
Explosions were heard over Jerusalem as Yemen's Huthi rebels launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in a show of support for Palestinians.
The Huthis said they targeted the defence ministry in Tel Aviv and also fired two missiles at the Red Sea port city of Eilat.
They also targeted an American aircraft carrier in the Red Sea on Sunday and warned of "consequences" should there be any retaliation during the ceasefire period.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Ceasefire deal brings mixed emotions for families of hostages
Families of British-linked hostages have expressed deep anxiety and cautious hope ahead of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.
Reflecting on the emotional toll of waiting, Ma’anit told the PA news agency: “I think I’m feeling every spectrum of human emotion all at once. I am incredibly anxious, filled with trepidation, but also optimistic.” Read more
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Rally held in Paris for Gaza hostages
People gathered opposite the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Saturday in support of the hostages held in Gaza, describing being torn between hope and fear.
"It's a mix of hope and fear," said Jean-David Ichay, president of the "Tous 7 Octobre" association.
"There's already the fact that only 33 hostages have been announced so far... The rest will either happen later or not at all," he said.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: What to expect in Israel on Sunday?
In southern Israel, schools will delay opening until 10 am, anticipating potential Hamas rocket fire just before the ceasefire takes effect, news agency Associated Press reported.
Israeli troops inside Gaza will primarily remain along the borders with Israel and Egypt and will maintain a presence along the road dividing northern and southern Gaza, according to a map released by the Israeli military.
Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks carrying much-needed humanitarian aid are expected to enter Gaza.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war to begin at 06.30 GMT
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas will begin at 06.30 am GMT, news agency AFP reported.
Gazans displaced by the war to other parts of the devastated territory were preparing to return home.
Israel has prepared reception centres to provide medical treatment and counselling to the freed hostages before they are returned to their families after their long ordeal.
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Live: Israel demands a list of hostages to be released on Sunday
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel cannot proceed with the agreed prisoner exchange until Hamas provides the list of hostages to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
The government on Friday notified the families of the 33 Israeli hostages expected to be set free.
Israel says 65 more hostages are currently held in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 36 confirmed dead.
Israel-Hamas easefire Live: Israeli forces begin withdrawal
Israeli forces on Sunday began withdrawing from Gaza's Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza.
The Philadelphi Corridor, also called Philadelphi Route, is the Israeli code name for a narrow strip of land, some 100 metres wide and 14 km (8.7 miles) long. One purpose of the route was to prevent the movement of illegal materials (including weapons and ammunition) and people between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
