Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel stands ready to resume military operations against Hamas if the second phase of the ceasefire talks fails.
In a televised address on Saturday, just hours before the ceasefire was set to begin on Sunday morning, Netanyahu emphasized that the truce was temporary and declared that Israel retained the right to restart strikes in Gaza. He noted that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump supported this stance.
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Netanyahu highlighted Israel’s achievements over the 15-month conflict, including the reported killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and claimed that Hamas is now “completely isolated.”
The ceasefire, scheduled to take effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (06:30 GMT), has already seen complications. Netanyahu stated that Israel would not implement the deal until receiving a confirmed list of hostages to be released by Hamas. Although Israeli media published a list of 33 hostages set for release, officials said the names of three individuals expected to be freed on Sunday were still unconfirmed.
Hamas, for its part, reported that Israeli airstrikes had continued, killing over 120 people since the truce was announced. The first phase of the agreement involves the release of 33 hostages in exchange for 1,890 Palestinian prisoners, alongside an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza.
Discussions about a second phase, aimed at achieving a permanent ceasefire, are expected to begin 16 days after the initial truce starts. This phase could include releasing remaining hostages, more prisoner exchanges, and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops. Hamas police would oversee the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, though they would remain unarmed unless necessary.
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The final stage envisions the reconstruction of Gaza, a process likely to take years, alongside the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies.
Despite approval of the deal by Israel’s government on Friday, far-right ministers like Itamar Ben-Gvir opposed the agreement, contributing to divisions. Families of hostages have expressed concerns over the phased structure, fearing some may be left behind.
Protests erupted in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, with demonstrators urging the government to fulfil its commitments. Gal Alkalay, a representative of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, criticized delays in decision-making, saying lives could have been saved earlier.
Meanwhile, tensions continued in Israel, where a stabbing attack near a Tel Aviv restaurant wounded several people. Police reported the attacker, a man from Tulkarm in the occupied West Bank, was shot and killed.
Gaza remains in turmoil. Since the ceasefire announcement, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed 123 people, including women and children. Gaza’s Hamas-run civil defence agency reported that an airstrike in Khan Yunis killed five family members.
The ongoing conflict, which began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has resulted in immense devastation. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry states that 46,899 people have been killed, with most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents displaced and facing severe shortages of essential supplies.
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