Gaza ceasefire takes effect after 3-hour delay

(CLO) A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has come into effect after nearly three hours of delay, due to Hamas's slow release of a list of the first three hostages it pledged to release.

The ceasefire was originally scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time on January 20. However, it was delayed by nearly three hours because Hamas had not provided the names of the first three hostages it would release. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire would not be enforced until the list was handed over.

This forced Israel to continue its attacks on northern and central Gaza, killing at least 11 Palestinians, including eight in Khan Younis and three in Gaza City. Gaza health authorities confirmed dozens of injuries in these attacks.

Hamas finally released the hostage list around 11 a.m., paving the way for the ceasefire to be activated at 11:15 a.m. local time.

The ceasefire in Gaza has officially come into effect. Photo: X

The ceasefire is divided into three phases, with the first lasting 42 days. During this period, Hamas pledged to release 33 of the nearly 100 hostages it is holding, including women, children, the elderly and the wounded.

In return, Israel will release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The deal also allows Israeli forces to withdraw from some areas in Gaza, allowing Palestinians to return home and receive humanitarian aid.

The release was carried out under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the support of international mediators. The first three female hostages are expected to be released on January 20, at the same time as Israel releases 30 Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire agreement is seen as a success by international mediators, especially the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, in easing one of the bloodiest conflicts in the Middle East in years.

In the city of Khan Younis, residents celebrated the ceasefire with cheers and fireworks. Some Palestinian families began returning to their homes, despite the potential danger.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the ceasefire would only take effect once a list of hostages was provided. This demand put great pressure on Hamas, which has struggled to maintain its position despite heavy losses in manpower and infrastructure.

While the ceasefire offers hope, the road ahead is challenging. Implementing the next phases of the deal, including the release of all remaining hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza, will face many political and practical hurdles.

Negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire are due to begin within the next two weeks, but the risk of a breakdown remains ever-present.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, AP, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/lenh-ngung-ban-o-gaza-co-hieu-luc-sau-3-gio-tri-hoan-post331093.html