Peter Atitebi

The planned ceasefire between Israel and Hamas faced an unexpected delay on Sunday morning in Gaza as negotiations stalled over the list of hostages to be released. The pause in fighting was originally scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time. Israeli Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had directed the ceasefire would not take effect until Hamas provided the required hostage information. Hamas responded by stating their continued commitment to the agreement, attributing the delay to "technical reasons in the field." The proposed exchange agreement includes the release of 33 hostages from Gaza in return for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The initial phase would see three female hostages freed on Sunday, with each civilian hostage's release triggering the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners, or 50 if the hostage is a military […]

Palestinians and Israelis voiced cautious hope regarding reports of an imminent ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the potential release of remaining hostages after over a year of conflict. In Gaza City, 17-year-old Sanabel expressed both optimism and anxiety. Speaking from her partially damaged home, she described plans to reunite with displaced friends while noting her fears about continued bombing in her area. "I don't want a temporary ceasefire - I want peace for the rest of our lives," she stated. Asmaa Tayeh, sheltering in western Gaza City's al-Nasr neighborhood, described the widespread anticipation among residents. Originally from Jabalia refugee camp, her family has faced multiple evacuations during the conflict. On the Israeli side, Sharon Lifshitz, whose 84-year-old father remains in captivity, shared mixed emotions about the potential deal. "Each hostage is a whole world," she noted, acknowledging that some families […]