The first phase of a long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began after a delay of nearly three hours, with Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages later on Sunday.

The ceasefire was due to begin at 08:30 (06:30 GMT), but Israel said Hamas had not released the names of the first batch of hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas blamed “technical reasons”.

After the initial deadline passed, Israeli forces reportedly attacked so-called “terror targets” in Gaza, killing 19 Palestinians.

The ceasefire finally came into effect at 11:15 a.m. after Israel received the names of the hostages. Mediator Qatar said this included dual British-Israeli and Romanian-Israeli citizenship.

A Hamas statement identified the three women as 24-year-old Romi Gonen, 31-year-old Romanian citizen Doron Steinbrecher, and 28-year-old Romanian citizen Doron Steinbrecher. Emily Damari, 19, is the only British national still imprisoned after 15 months of devastating war.

The Israeli government has not confirmed the names, but The women are said to be among 33 Israeli hostages to be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners During the first six weeks of trading.

Israeli troops will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes, and hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed into the area every day.

The second phase of negotiations will begin on the 16th, when the remaining hostages will be released, all Israeli troops will withdraw, and “sustainable calm will be restored.”

The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza, which could take years, and the return of the bodies of the remaining hostages.

Late on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that any ceasefire would be “temporary” and that Israel reserved the right to resume the war with U.S. support if it broke down.

The Israeli military launched an operation to destroy Hamas in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack on October 7, 2023 that left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken away. Hamas was seized by Israel, The United States and other countries list it as a terrorist organization. hostage.

Nearly 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. Most of the 2.3 million people have also been displaced, causing widespread destruction and severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as aid is difficult to reach those in need.

Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, three Israelis were kidnapped before the war, one of whom died.

Sunday morning, Israeli military announces special forces have found the body of Staff Sergeant Oron Shaulan Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war.