The Ceasefire in Gaza Resumes Following a Delay in the Second Exchange of Hostages for Prisoners

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas seemed to be back on track early Sunday following the release of a second batch of hostages held by militants and Palestinians from Israeli prisons. This exchange, however, was delayed on Saturday evening, reflecting the ceasefire’s vulnerability. Hamas had accused Israel of breaching the agreement, which marked the first significant break in a seven-week war characterized by deadly Israeli-Palestinian clashes, widespread destruction in Gaza, and a hostage crisis that has deeply affected Israel.

The deal appeared to be faltering until mediators from Qatar and Egypt announced late Saturday that they had resolved the hindrances to the prisoner swap. As a result, militants released 17 hostages, including 13 Israelis, while Israel freed 39 Palestinian prisoners.

This delay in the swap heightened tensions, evident in the thousands who gathered in central Tel Aviv late Saturday. They demanded the release of all approximately 240 people captured by Hamas during their assault on southern Israel on October 7, which triggered the war. These demonstrators criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his perceived inadequate efforts in securing their return.

The families of the hostages and the broader Israeli public have been placing intense pressure on the government, which is caught in a dilemma of trying to dismantle Hamas militarily and as a governing entity while ensuring the safe return of all captives.

The war has reportedly resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians, and nearly 15,000 Palestinians killed, with a significant proportion being women and minors.

Sunday saw Hamas announce the death of one of its top commanders, Ahmed al-Ghandour, responsible for northern Gaza. This senior militant had evaded multiple Israeli attempts on his life since 2002.

The ceasefire, initiated on Friday, was facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. As per the agreement, Hamas is to release at least 50 Israeli hostages, with Israel freeing 150 Palestinian prisoners, all women and minors.

Israel has stated its intention to extend the truce by an additional day for every 10 hostages released but has also vowed to resume its offensive once the ceasefire concludes.

The truce has provided a brief respite for the 2.3 million people in Gaza, who have been suffering from intense Israeli bombardment. The fighting has forced a significant portion of the population from their homes and has devastated large areas, particularly in northern Gaza.

In southern Gaza, where many have sought refuge, residents are queuing for fuel, and those attempting to return north are being turned back by Israeli troops.

The United Nations has reported that the ceasefire has enabled an upscaling of food, water, and medicine delivery to Gaza, the most significant since the war began. This includes the provision of fuel and cooking gas.

The delay in the hostage release on Saturday, according to Hamas, was due to shortfalls in aid deliveries, particularly to the north, and Israel not releasing enough long-term prisoners. Many Palestinians view those imprisoned by Israel, including those involved in deadly attacks, as figures of resistance against occupation.

The release of the second group of hostages was a mixed moment for many, especially for the residents of Kibbutz Be’eri, who have been staying in a Dead Sea hotel since their community was overrun. The released hostages included children and women, some from families who had lost members in the October 7 attacks or who still have loved ones in captivity.

In the West Bank, the release of Palestinian prisoners was met with celebrations. Among those freed were individuals who had been imprisoned for years for various offenses against Israeli military or civilian targets.

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club states that Israel is currently detaining around 7,200 Palestinians, with about 2,000 arrested since the war began.

Concurrently, the West Bank has experienced a surge in violence. Early Sunday, Palestinian health authorities reported that five Palestinians were killed in an Israeli military operation in Jenin. The Israeli military stated the operation was part of ongoing efforts to apprehend individuals suspected of involvement with Hamas or other militant activities.