Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jan 19: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to delay the start of the ceasefire in Gaza, scheduled for 8:30 am (0630 GMT), until Hamas submits the list of captives to be released, according to a statement from his office on Sunday.

Hamas, in a response shortly after, blamed the delay on "technical field reasons" but reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire deal that was agreed upon last week. Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker reported that despite the setback, there is immense international pressure on both parties to ensure that the ceasefire takes place, particularly during its first phase.

The current ceasefire is expected to last 42 days and could lead to the release of 33 hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces to a buffer zone within Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, alongside a significant increase in humanitarian aid.

However, Netanyahu has warned that Israel retains the right to resume military action if the second phase of the ceasefire proves unsuccessful, with the backing of the United States. Negotiations for this more challenging phase of the ceasefire are set to begin in two weeks, as questions loom over the fate of the remaining hostages and the potential resumption of the conflict after the first phase concludes.

The ceasefire approval came after Israel's Cabinet met in an extraordinary session during the Jewish Sabbath, as the international community, including the outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump, pressed for a resolution before the US presidential inauguration.