Gaza’s Fragile Peace: Ceasefire and Hostage Swap Finally Unfolds After Setbacks

The initial stage of the much-anticipated Gaza truce agreement has commenced following nearly a three-hour postponement, with Hamas expected to free three Israeli captives later today.

The truce was slated to begin at 08:30 (06:30 GMT), but Israel stated that Hamas had failed to submit the names of the first hostages to be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Hamas attributed the delay to “technical issues”.

Reports indicate that nineteen Palestinians lost their lives as the Israeli military targeted what it referred to as “terrorist sites” in Gaza after the original deadline expired.

Ultimately, the ceasefire took effect at 11:15, after Israel obtained the names of the hostages. Mediator Qatar disclosed that they included individuals with dual British-Israeli and Romanian-Israeli citizenship.

A declaration from Hamas named the three women as Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, a Romanian national, and Emily Damari, aged 28, who is the sole British citizen still being detained following 15 months of extensive conflict.

While the Israeli administration has not verified the identities, it has stated that the women are among the 33 Israeli hostages slated for exchange against hundreds of Palestinian prisonersduring the initial six-week phase of the agreement.

Israeli forces are also expected to withdraw from densely populated regions of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to start returning to their residences, and permitting hundreds of aid trucks into the area daily.

Discussions regarding the second phase – aimed at securing the release of the remaining hostages, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the “restoration of lasting peace” – are set to commence on the 16th day.

The third and final phase will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza – a process that could extend over several years – and the return of any remaining hostages’ remains.

On Saturday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that any truce would be “temporary”, asserting that Israel maintains the right to resume military action, with backing from the US, should the ceasefire collapse.

The Israeli military initiated a campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas – an entity designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the US, and other nations – following an unprecedented cross-border assault on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages taken.

According to Gaza’s Hamas-operated health ministry, over 46,910 individuals have perished since then. The majority of the 2.3 million residents have also been displaced, with extensive destruction evident, and there are critical shortages of food, fuel, medical supplies, and shelter due to challenges in delivering aid to those in need.

Israel asserts that 94 hostages remain in Hamas custody, with 34 presumed deceased. Additionally, three Israelis were abducted prior to the conflict, one of whom is deceased.

On Sunday morning, the Israeli military reported that special forces recovered the body of Staff Sgt Oron Shaul, an Israeli soldier killed in the 2014 conflict in Gaza.