Tel Aviv: Hours before the ceasefire agreement was to go into effect with Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said that his government would not move forward with the deal until the former share the list of hostages to be freed. The agreement is slated to go into effect from Sunday.
Under the agreement, Hamas is required to share the names of the hostages at least 24 hours before their release, which is scheduled to begin at 4 pm local time. “We will not move forward with the outline until we receive a list of the hostages to be freed, as agreed,” the President said in a statement, which was released by his office. “Israel will not tolerate violations of the agreement. The sole responsibility lies with Hamas,” the statement added further.
Agreement scheduled to come into effect on Sunday
Earlier, Qatar which mediated between two sides had announced that the agreement would come into effect from 8:30 AM local time. As per the negotiation, the first phase of the agreement will continue for 42 days. The second phase will start a few days later. After six weeks, Israel is likely to decide on how to proceed further.
Israel has also released a list of over 700 Palestinian prisoners who are to be released under the agreement. The list was announced after the Israel government approved the ceasefire deal. According to reports, the list includes members of Hamas and Islamic militant groups. Some among them are serving life sentences and are convicted of serious offenses.
Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza on Saturday
Meanwhile, the Israeli airstrikes continue on Saturday in Gaza. As per officials in Gaza, a total of 23 bodies were brought to hospitals in the last 24 hours. Sirens were also heard in the Southern and Central parts of Israel, with the military claiming to have intercepted projectiles that were reportedly launched from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
