Hamas Delays Hostage List Submission Before Planned Ceasefire
In a critical development ahead of a planned ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his demand for a list of hostages held by Hamas. The militant group has cited "technical problems" for its failure to provide the list on time.
The ceasefire, expected to start at 7:30 AM on Sunday, January 21, 2025, marks the first truce in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas since November 2023. According to the mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the USA, Hamas is set to release 33 hostages in exchange for the freedom of approximately 1,890 Palestinians currently held in Israeli prisons.
Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli military to ensure that the ceasefire will commence only upon receipt of the list of released hostages. The first exchange of prisoners is anticipated not to occur before 3:30 PM on Sunday.
As preparations for the ceasefire unfold, the Israeli military has established reception stations near the Gaza border, where freed hostages will receive medical and psychological assistance before being reunited with their families in hospitals. These stations are located in Re’im and at the Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings.
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