Gaza Ceasefire Won’t Start Unless Hamas Gives Hostage List, Says Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Sunday that unless Hamas provided a list of hostages, the ceasefire in Gaza would not start until 0630 GMT, with the militant group claiming that the delay was caused by “technical reasons.”

“The prime minister instructed the IDF (military) that the ceasefire, which is scheduled to take effect at 8: 30 am, will not begin until Israel has received the list of released hostages, as Hamas has committed to providing”, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

Hamas said it was “affirming its commitment” to the terms of the ceasefire.

READ ALSO: &nbsp, Israel To Free Over 1, 890 Palestinians In First Phase Of Gaza Truce

The group stated in a statement that “the group’s delay in providing the names of those to be released in the first batch is due to technical reasons.”

Netanyahu had earlier warned late on Saturday that it would not happen unless a list of prisoners’ names was made available in order for the Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for hostages on Sunday.

He also said that Israel reserved the right to resume the war “if necessary”, with US support, and that the current ceasefire was “temporary”.

Source: Channels TV