Gaza ceasefire delayed as Israel makes key demand of Hamas and continues to attack
Gaza ceasefire delayed as Israel makes key demand of Hamas and continues to attack
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The ceasefire that was due to begin in Gaza this morning has been delayed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release later on Sunday in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners.
The list had not been handed over when the deadline for the truce to begin passed at 8.30am local time, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the top Israeli military spokesman, said. He said the army "continues to attack, even now, inside the Gaza arena," and would until Hamas complies with the agreement.
Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on "technical field reasons." It said in a statement that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week. An Israeli official said mediators have provided assurances that the list will be delivered and the deal is still expected to go forward, though the timing remains in question. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing efforts to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, Israel announced that it had recovered the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier who was killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained in Gaza after the 2014 war and had not been returned despite a public campaign by their families.
