Israel-Gaza ceasefire live: Benjamin Netanyahu says Gaza ceasefire is delayed until Hamas releases list of hostages to be freed

Hundreds of Gazans were seen cheering and celebrating after 6:30 a.m. in the central city of Deir el-Balah, the time the ceasefire was to come into effect.

Many were taking pictures with their cell phones, clapping and hugging each other.

About 30 minutes later, images showed thick gray smoke rising over northeastern Gaza.

According to the ceasefire agreement, the names on the hostage list should have been communicated 24 hours before the exchange, that is, shortly after 4:00 p.m. today local time.

Hamas says it is still committed to the deal, but blames “technical field reasons” for providing the names of the three people it planned to release.

The agreement comes in three stages: the first six-week phase provides for the release of more than 30 hostages.

Israeli forces also agreed to withdraw eastward, away from densely populated areas of Gaza, as part of the deal.

British hostage Emily Damari will be released as part of the deal between Israel and Hamas, Israeli media report.

The 28-year-old has been detained in Gaza since she was shot in the hand and leg when she was taken from her home in southern Israel during the Hamas attack on October 7.

According to an agreement finally reached this week, the release of 33 hostages is expected, including women, “children, the elderly, as well as sick and injured civilians.”

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Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari made the announcement in a televised statement this morning.

The IDF continues to attack within the Gaza area at this time. According to the prime minister’s directives, the ceasefire will not take effect until Hamas fulfills its commitments.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement this morning to say that a ceasefire with Hamas had been delayed, moments before the deal came into force at 6.30am.

He instructed the military not to initiate a ceasefire.

Netanyahu warned last night that the first phase of the deal would not go ahead until three female hostages were freed.