Sun Jan 19 08:26:51 UTC 2025: ## Last-Minute Delay Mars Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

**Jerusalem, January 19, 2025** – A planned ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, brokered by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, has been delayed at the last minute due to a dispute over the release of hostages. The delay came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to continue strikes in Gaza, citing a lack of a complete list of hostages to be released by Hamas.

The ceasefire, initially scheduled to begin at 8:30 am (0630 GMT), was intended to mark the beginning of a 42-day truce. This initial phase would have seen the release of three Israeli hostages in exchange for a first group of Palestinian prisoners, with a larger exchange of hundreds of prisoners planned subsequently. The truce aims to end over 15 months of conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the deadliest in Israeli history.

Despite the delay, celebrations erupted in Gaza City as residents, displaced by the ongoing conflict, prepared to return home. However, the IDF continued its strikes, resulting in the deaths of eight Palestinians according to Gaza’s civil defence. Mahmud Bassal, a civil defence spokesman, reported three deaths in northern Gaza and five in Gaza City, along with 25 wounded.

While Hamas affirmed its commitment to the ceasefire and attributed the delay to “technical reasons” related to compiling the hostage list, Netanyahu stated that Israel would resume fighting if necessary, asserting continued US support. He characterized the 42-day truce as merely a temporary ceasefire, stating that Israel would respond with force if the terms were not met.

The IDF warned Gazans to avoid approaching Israeli forces or territories, citing safety concerns. Residents in Jerusalem expressed a mix of hope and weariness, with some voicing optimism that the delay might still lead to a lasting end to the protracted conflict. The situation remains tense as the parties await a resolution to the hostage exchange issue.

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