Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military not to start the ceasefire in Gaza as he demanded the list of hostages to be freed, throwing the truce in limbo just an hour before it was to begin.
Israel has been demanding the list of 33 hostages who will be released by Hamas in the first phase.
“The prime minister instructed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8.30am, will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide,” his office said in a statement.
Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the ceasefire will not take effect as long as the militant group do not need its demands, and that Israel will continue to attack.
Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on “technical field reasons.” It said in a statement that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week.
Israel’s government ratified the truce with Hamas on Saturday morning, paving the way for an end to the war in the Palestinian territory after 15 months of devastating fighting that has left over 46,000 Gazans dead.
Mr Netanyahu warned that Israel reserved the right to restart the war in Gaza with the backing of the US if he was not satisfied with Hamas’s handling of the ceasefire deal.
Israel continued to attack Gaza through Saturday. Tanks shelled the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City and airstrikes hit central and southern Gaza, residents said.
Key Points
- Gaza ceasefire stalls as Netanyahu seeks list of hostages
- ‘Ceasefire only temporary’ warns Netanyahu
- Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on knife edge as Netanyahu threatens further fighting
- Israel approves ceasefire deal
- Israel says 737 prisoners to be released in first phase of truce deal
- Rocket sirens heard in Tel Aviv as missile launched from Yemen
- Israel’s far-right minister threatens to quit government
Israeli military says it struck 'terror targets' in north, central Gaza
07:21
,
Holly Evans
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it had struck “terror targets” in northern and central Gaza.
The strikes come as the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was delayed as Hamas had not fulfilled its obligation to send Israel the list of hostages to be released on the first day.
In a statement, the IDF said it was “continuing to operate and strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip”.
“A short while ago, IDF artillery and aircraft struck a number of terror targets in northern and central Gaza,” the military said.
“The IDF remains ready in defence and offence and will not allow any harm to the citizens of Israel.”
Palestinian residents begin returning to homes despite ongoing shelling
07:03
,
Holly Evans
Palestinian residents began returning to their homes in parts of Gaza City early Sunday, even as tank shelling continued to the east, closer to the Israeli border, overnight. Families could be seen making their way back on foot, with their belongings loaded on donkey carts, residents said.
“The sound of shelling and explosions didn’t stop,” said Ahmed Matter, a Gaza City resident. He said he saw many families leaving their shelters and returning to their homes. “People are impatient. They want this madness to end,” he said.
Israel’s Cabinet approved the ceasefire early Saturday in a rare session during the Jewish Sabbath, more than two days after mediators announced the deal. The warring sides were under pressure from both the outgoing Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump to achieve a deal before the U.S. presidential inauguration on Monday.
However, the deal has now been thrown into limbo after Israel said Hamas had not complied with its obligations, and that the ceasefire would not commence until they had received a list of hostages set for release.
Israeli military says it 'continues to attack' in Gaza
06:51
,
Holly Evans
The Israeli military says it “continues to attack” inside the Gaza Strip as a dispute with Hamas delayed the start of a planned ceasefire.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military’s chief spokesman, said the truce would not begin until Hamas hands over the names of three hostages to be released later on Sunday, echoing an earlier statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The planned ceasefire, agreed after a year of intensive mediation by the United States, Qatar and Egypt, is the first step in a long and fragile process aimed at winding down the 15-month war.
The 42-day first phase of the ceasefire should see a total of 33 hostages returned from Gaza and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees released. Israeli forces should pull back into a buffer zone inside Gaza, and many displaced Palestinians should be able to return home. The devastated territory should also see a surge in humanitarian aid.
Israel says ceasefire will not take effect until Hamas release hostage list
06:40
,
Bel Trew
A military spokesman for Israel told reporters that Hamas is not meeting its obligations to send a list of hostages.
Daniel Hagari said that the ceasefire will not take effect as long as the militant group do not need its demands, and that Israel will continue to attack.
“As of this morning Hamas is not complying... Israel is committed to the agreement,” he said.
Israel says ceasefire will not take effect until Hamas release hostage list
06:39
,
Holly Evans
A military spokesman for Israel told reporters that Hamas is not meeting its obligations to send a list of hostages.
Daniel Hagari said that the ceasefire will not take effect as long as the militant group do not need its demands, and that Israel will continue to attack.
Israeli military give statement
06:33
,
Holly Evans
Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military’s spokesperson, has begun to give a statement to reporters.
It’s expected he’ll outline the reasons for the ceasefire being delayed and what may happen next.
Ceasefire due to begin
06:30
,
Holly Evans
The ceasefire deal should now be in effect, with the truce scheduled to begin at 8.30am local time (6.30am GMT).
However, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the military not to begin the ceasefire until they receive a list of hostages set for release from Hamas.
The exchange has raised doubts about whether the ceasefire would begin as planned, the first step in a long and fragile process aimed at winding down the 15-month war.
Netanyahu directs IDF not to begin ceasefire until list of hostages is released
06:23
,
Holly Evans
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military the Gaza ceasefire “will not begin until Israel has in its possession the list of hostages to be freed”.
In a full statement, his office said: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment overnight regarding the delay in receiving the list of hostages who are expected to be released.
“The Prime Minister directed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is due to take effect at 8:30am (6.30 GMT), will not begin as long as Israel does not have the list of hostages who are to be released, which Hamas has committed to provide.”
Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on “technical field reasons.” It said in a statement that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week.
Israel says it recovered the body of a soldier killed in 2014 hours before Gaza ceasefire
06:12
,
Holly Evans
Israel said Sunday it has recovered the remains of a soldier killed in the 2014 Gaza war, hours before a ceasefire and hostage release were set to begin.
Oron Shaul was killed in the previous conflict and his remains have been held by Hamas. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, remained in Gaza after the 2014 war and had not been returned despite a public campaign by their families.
The families fought to have the bodies returned as part of any ceasefire deal in the current war.
Photos: Anti- and pro-ceasefire protests rock parts of world
06:00
,
Shweta Sharma
Both anti- and pro-ceasefire protests saw hundreds of people hitting the streets from New York and London to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied outside the New York Times building in Manhattan to stand with Palestinians in Gaza and to demand an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine following the announcement of the ceasefire.
Many gathered in the streets of Paris in support of the hostages held in Gaza. People gathered opposite the Eiffel Tower and held up “bring them home” placards.
Seven people were arrested at a pro-Palestine rally in central London as hundreds gathered amid a heavy police presence.
A man was arrested on suspicion of holding a placard suggesting support for banned organisations while four people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and three others on suspicion of breaching conditions put in place for the protest.
People light flares and shout slogans during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages.
Gaza ceasefire stalls as Netanyahu seeks list of hostages
05:50
,
Shweta Sharma
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Sunday that the ceasefire in Gaza will not begin until Israel has received a list of the hostages set to be released from Hamas.
He reiterated the warning in a statement barely an hour before the ceasefire was set to begin at 8.30am local time.
“The prime minister instructed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30 am, will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide,” his office said in a statement.
Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on “technical field reasons.” It said in a statement that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week.
What’s next for Gaza after ceasefire
05:30
,
Shweta Sharma
There is no comprehensive agreement on the postwar future of Gaza, throwing the future of the war-torn enclave in limbo.
The Gaza enclave where buildings have been flattened, homes destroyed, and water and electricity lines severed require billions of dollars and years of work to rebuild.
Hamas, which has controlled Gaza for almost two decades, has survived despite losing its top leadership and thousands of fighters.
Israel has vowed it will not allow Hamas to return to power and has cleared large stretches of ground inside Gaza, in a step widely seen as a move towards creating a buffer zone that will allow its troops to act freely against threats in the enclave.
In Israel, the return of the hostages may ease some of the public anger against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government over the 7 Oct security failure that led to the deadliest single day in the country’s history.
But hardliners in his government have already threatened to quit if war on Hamas is not resumed, leaving him pressed between Washington’s desire to see the war end, and his far-right political allies at home.
Ceasefire raises new fears for Gazans: ‘The next nightmare is just beginning’
05:00
,
Shweta Sharma
Anxious civilians in Gaza are “counting the seconds” until a ceasefire is enforced, as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the besieged strip, killing dozens of people, according to local health officials.
Despite a wobble when Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had attempted to “extort last-minute concessions”, the deal appeared back on track on Thursday night and is due to be ratified on Friday with fighting set to cease on Sunday.
In war-ravaged Gaza, the health ministry said waves of Israeli airstrikes continued in the meantime, killing 77 people – half of them women and children.
“We see and expect that the coming hours before the ceasefire will be bloody and harsh,” said Dr Raed Musleh, 52, an internal medicine doctor, himself homeless and displaced in the southern city of Khan Younis, where he said medics lacked drugs to treat the wounded.
Read Bel Trew and Nedal Hamdouna’s report for The Independent.
Family of released Israeli hostage hopeful of Hamas ceasefire deal
04:30
,
Shweta Sharma
Hostages’ families are hopeful for the return of their loved ones but remain “tense” waiting for a deal between Israel and Hamas.
Watch The Independent’s video from Tel Aviv.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal: Who is going to be released and what to expect
04:23
,
Shweta Sharma
A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is expected to come into effect at 8.30am local time on Sunday, seeing the release dozens of hostages held in Gaza and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The long-fought-for deal, divided into three phases of 42 days each, was approved by the Israeli cabinet with a majority of 24 ministers in favour and eight against in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Many hope it will bring an end to the devastating 15-month conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza and more than 1,000 Israelis.
Read our full report.
Countdown to Gaza ceasefire and release of hostages begins
03:45
,
Shweta Sharma
Families across Israel and Gaza are anxiously counting down the hours to the start of a historic ceasefire in Gaza after 15 months of brutal war that has devastated the territory. The truce will allow the return of hostages held since the start of the conflict.
Benjamin Netanyahu has said he expects the hostages to begin being released on Sunday, with Israel approving the deal in the early hours of Saturday morning. It will bring relief to families who have had to deal with the loss of loved ones amid the devastation wrought on Gaza – though they acknowledge the truce is a fragile thing that needs work to last beyond its initial six weeks.
One family member of a hostage told The Independent that “we must go all the way with the ceasefire deal, no one should be left behind” while another said that “enough is enough, bring everyone home”.
Read The Independent‘s Bel Trew’s report on the group speaking to the families.
UN says ‘so much hope as the clock ticks’ as ceasefire nears
03:30
,
Shweta Sharma
The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said a lot if hope is building up but a lot will depend on good will of the parties involved.
“The ceasefire is expected to go into effect in a few hours. We follow with anticipation and hold our breath,” the UNRWA, said in a post on X.
“So much hope as the clock ticks: for the guns to finally go silent, for the hostages to be reunited with loved ones and for aid and commercial supplies to flow for people in need. A lot will depend on the good will of the parties and those with influence over them.”
Israeli forces start withdrawing from Rafah to corridor, report says
03:18
,
Shweta Sharma
Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza’s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.
What will happen on Sunday as ceasefire begins
03:12
,
Barney Davis
The ceasefire goes into effect at 8.30am local time (6.30am GMT). According to the plan, three living female hostages are to be released after 4pm (2pm GMT). Soon afterwards, Israel will release around 95 Palestinian prisoners, who are mostly minors or female.
Hamas was supposed to provide Israel with the names of the three hostages on Saturday afternoon, but as of late Saturday night, Israel had still not received the names. The names are to be made public only after the hostages are returned and officially identified.
In southern Israel, schools will begin at 10am in anticipation that Hamas could launch rockets toward Israel just before the ceasefire begins.
Israeli troops inside Gaza will be deployed mostly among the territory’s borders with Israel and Egypt, and maintain a presence on a road that divides northern and southern Gaza, according to a map released by the Israeli military.
Meanwhile, hundreds of trucks carrying desperately needed humanitarian supplies are expected to pour into Gaza.
Historic Gaza ceasefire and hostage release set to begin
02:54
,
Shweta Sharma
A historic ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas is set to come into effect this morning with the release of hostages to follow hours later.
Israeli forces started withdrawing from areas in Gaza‘s Rafah to the Philadelphi corridor along the border between Egypt and Gaza, pro-Hamas media reported early on Sunday.
The ceasefire agreement followed months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, and came just ahead of the 20 January inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump.
The three-stage ceasefire will come into effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.
Its first stage will last six weeks, during which 33 of the remaining 98 hostages - women, children, men over 50, the ill and wounded - will be released in return for almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza in detention since the start of the war.
Three female hostages are expected to be released on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross, in return for 30 prisoners each.
During the first phase the Israeli army will pull back from some of its positions in Gaza and Palestinians displaced from areas in northern Gaza will be allowed to return.
Family of one of the oldest Israeli hostages ‘hopes for miracle’ in ceasefire truce
02:12
,
Barney Davis
Thousands join pro-Palestine march in Westminster
01:12
,
Barney Davis
In pictures: More than 70 pro-Palestine protesters arrested in central London
00:12
,
Barney Davis
More than 70 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested in Trafalgar Square on suspicion of breaching protest conditions after demonstrators broke through a police line as they marched from a rally in Whitehall.
‘Victory = Hostage Deal’ Protests carry on ahead of ceasefire
Saturday 18 January 2025 23:12
,
Barney Davis
People light flares and chant slogans during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israeli hostages hours before a ceasefire is expected to take effect.
‘Deal better hold’ Trump gives message ahead of meeting Netanyahu
Saturday 18 January 2025 22:10
,
Barney Davis
US President-elect Donald Trump says the ceasefire and hostage release deal “better hold,” as he’s asked by NBC News’ “Meet the Press” if he’s confident the Israeli captives held by Hamas will soon be freed.
“Well, we’re going to see very soon, and it better hold,” Trump says during the phone interview.
Trump says he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, “Just keep doing what you have to do. You have to have — this has to end. We want it to end, but to keep doing what has to be done.”
Wife of prisoner hopes to see him for first time in ten years
Saturday 18 January 2025 21:43
,
Barney Davis
The wife of the longest-held Palestinian prisoner by Israel says she will be happy to see him again after more than a decade. The 68-year-old Nael Barghouti is the highest-profile prisoner set to be released under the Gaza ceasefire that begins Sunday.
He was first arrested in 1978 and charged with carrying out armed operations and organizing cells to act against Israel. He was released in 2011 as part of the deal for the Hamas militant group to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, but he was arrested again in 2014.
Barghouti’s wife, Iman, now worries about being able to see her husband if he is deported to an area she cannot easily reach. “They prevent families to see each other,” she said during an interview in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
She said she remembers her husband enjoying looking at the stars “because he didn’t see them for 33 years and half.”
Family of oldest Israeli hostage ‘doesn’t know what to prepare for’ in ceasefire truce
Saturday 18 January 2025 21:00
,
Barney Davis
What will happen in the prisoner exchange?
Saturday 18 January 2025 20:20
,
Barney Davis
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is due to take effect from 8.30am (6.30am GMT) on Sunday, following final approval of the deal by the Israeli government.
Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives, are to be freed over the course of the first phase of the ceasefire, due to last six weeks. Israel believes most are still alive but has received no confirmation from Hamas.
In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails.
They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as of 1,167 Palestinians detained in Gaza since the start of the war and held in Israel.
On Sunday after 2pm GMT Israel will hand over 95 Palestinian prisoners and will receive three hostages in exchange. The prisoners to be released on the first day of the ceasefire do not include any prominent detainees, and many were recently detained and not tried or convicted.
The identity of the three hostages to be handed over is not yet known. The military says it will publish the names once they have received the hostages.
In pictures: Rally as Israel prepares to welcome hostages home
Saturday 18 January 2025 19:59
,
Barney Davis
Met Police arrest 77 in London
Saturday 18 January 2025 19:41
,
Barney Davis
Officers have arrested 77 people during a Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) rally in central London.
Commander Adam Slonecki, who led the policing operation, said: “We have policed more than 20 national protests organised by the PSC since October 2023.
“This is the highest number of arrests we have seen, in response to the most significant escalation in criminality.
“We could not have been clearer about the conditions in place. Protesters were to remain in Whitehall with no march towards the BBC.
“Our relationship with protest organisers has to be based on trust and good faith. If they say they will act responsibly and lawfully we need to be able to know those are genuine assurances.”
A full breakdown of the arrests is below:
65 x breach of conditions
5 x public order offences
2 x obstructing police
1 x support for a proscribed organisation
1 x inciting racial hatred
1 x common assault
1 x assault on an emergency worker
1 x sexual assault
Hostage families thank Trump for Gaza deal
Saturday 18 January 2025 19:26
,
Barney Davis
Ofri Bibas Levy, aunt of Kfir Bibas: “Sorry, Kfir. You should have been home by now. I try to find comfort knowing that on Kfir’s birthday this year, the hostage deal may finally be approved.
“President-elect Trump, this deal wouldn’t have been possible without you. We look to you and your leadership in reuniting all of our families.
“And so, I stand here now, filled with both hope and worry. A deal has been signed, and we have 98 hostages to bring home. There must be no one left behind - We will not rest until the very last one returns. Yarden, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir - I can’t wait to hug you all again. I love you.”
Anat Angrest, mother of 22-year-old Matan Angrest also thanked President-elect Trump for “making this deal possible”.
She said: “My son Matan will not be released in the first phase, but I am hopeful. I believe in your power to do as you promised - save my son and all other 97 hostages. President Trump, please keep going and saving lives until we get all 98 hostages back home. We must complete every step of the deal with delay. Without getting back to fighting.”
Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal on knife edge as Netanyahu threatens further fighting
Saturday 18 January 2025 19:09
,
Barney Davis
Relatives of hostages set to be freed in Sunday’s ceasefire say they do not know whether to prepare for “a festival or a funeral” as tensions between both sides soared just hours before the deal was slated to begin.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a fresh warning on Saturday evening, that his government was “unable to move forward with the framework” of the deal, sparking further concerns about the fragile agreement. He said Israel had yet to receive the list of the hostages who will be released, as was agreed.
Bel Trew reports:
‘Ceasefire only temporary’ warns Netanyahu
Saturday 18 January 2025 19:04
,
Barney Davis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is treating the ceasefire with Gaza as temporary and retains the right to continue fighting if necessary.
Speaking to the nation just 12 hours before the ceasefire is due to start, he claimed that he had the support of US President-elect Donald Trump, who he said he spoke to on Wednesday.
Mr Netanyahu also touted Israel’s military successes in Lebanon and Syria as the reason Hamas agreed to a ceasefire.
“We have changed the face of the Middle East,” Mr Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu says Israel will keep watchful eye on whether Hamas smuggle weapons through Philadelphi corridor
Saturday 18 January 2025 18:50
,
Barney Davis
Netanyahu has said that access to the Philadelphi corridor and Israeli presence along the border with Gaza were preconditions to accepting any deal.
“We will increase our military presence there,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel will not allow “the arrival of any weapons” for Hamas.
He added that no Palestinian “prisoners whose hands are stained in blood” will be released.
The Philadelphi Corridor, also known as the Philadelphi Route, is the 14km (8.7-mile) long strip of land that represents the entirety of the border area between Gaza and Egypt.
No mention of hostage list demand in Netanyahu’s speech
Saturday 18 January 2025 18:33
,
Barney Davis
Benjamin Netanyahu’s message of unity to the Israeli people did not reference his earlier warning that the ceasefire deal would not be enacted if Hamas failed to provide a list of 33 hostages to be released.
He told reporters Israel has retained “the right to return to fighting if needed’’ in Gaza and claims to have Donald Trump’s support.
His statement came almost three hours after Israel had expected to receive the names, which Hamas was to give to mediator Qatar. There was no immediate response from Hamas or Qatar.
The overnight approval of the ceasefire deal by Israel’s Cabinet, in a rare meeting during the Jewish Sabbath, set off a flurry of activity and a fresh wave of emotions as relatives wondered whether hostages would be returned alive or dead.
The pause in 15 months of war is a step toward ending the deadliest, most destructive fighting ever between Israel and the Hamas militant group - and comes more than a year after the only other ceasefire achieved.
Netanyahu celebrates spirit of ‘winning’ Israeli spirit in press conference
Saturday 18 January 2025 18:26
,
Barney Davis
The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu released a media statementn isisting Israel will not “relent” until all hostages are released.
He told reporters: “We withhold the right to resume fighting if the second stage seems pointless.
“If we resume combat we will do in new ways and in tremendous force .Hamas tried to dictate to us but I adamantly objected.
“We retain the right to resume the war if we are not satisfied with the backing of the US.
“It is Hamas who threw up obstacles not Israel.
“What caused Hamas to change their minds? The fierce blows our great soldiers struck.”
He added: “It is our policy to fight on seven fronts with such force never seen before. We struck against Hezbollah the Huthi’s, the Iranian axis. We have a lot of plans up our sleeve.
“We have changed the face of the Middle East. Today Hamas agrees to what they never did in the past.”
He hailed the “winning” spirit of the Israeli people.
“On October 7 we experienced terrible pain but we have pushed back against our enemies and won some incredible victories.