The first Israeli hostages were released after an initial delay in the ceasefire

Three women held by Hamas in captivity for more than 15 months were released on Sunday after the implementation of a cease-fire agreement agreed by Israel and Hamas, which was delayed for several hours due to Hamas’s failure to provide the names of the first group that was set to be released.

A ceasefire that was expected to begin Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time was delayed after Hamas did not provide negotiators with the names of those who were to be released 24 hours before it was to be changed. The ceasefire came into effect at 11:15 am

Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on the morning of October 7, 2023. Damari, a UK citizen, and Steinbrecher were kidnapped from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, while Gonen taken from Nova’s music. festival. In January, Hamas released a video of the kidnapping in which Steinbrecher appeared with two other female hostages. The terrorist group gave no signs of life to Damari and Gonen throughout their captivity.

The women were seen walking unaided when they got out of the car that was taking them to the Red Cross.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the 18-hour delay “another example of the kind of enemy we’re dealing with…They started violating the agreement before it went into effect. This was also the case with the previous ceasefire agreement, which Hamas repeatedly violated. They continue to torture the hostages and their families.”

Earlier on Sunday, Israel announced that the body of slain soldier Oren Shaul, who was killed in 2014’s Operation Protective Edge, was recently retrieved from Gaza in a special operation. Saul, along with Hadari Goldin, were killed in a firefight with Hamas fighters. Golden’s body remains in Gaza.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced his resignation from the government on Sunday morning because of the ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages. Ben-Gvir, along with Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and eight other ministers, voted Friday against approving the deal. Smotrich plans to stay in government.

Ben-Gvir and Smotrich oppose this agreement because they say that Hamas has not been completely defeated in Gaza and continues to rule the area – Hamas police were busy in northern Gaza on Sunday morning – and because of concerns about terrorists who are said to be released in exchange for hostages.

Sa’ar acknowledged the “heavy price” of the deal at a press conference shortly after it went into effect, but said Israel was taking the risk “because of our commitment to our brothers and sisters who have been imprisoned for more than 15 months.” already, and we will do everything in our power to free them.”

The foreign minister said the ceasefire is temporary for now, and the war will not end unless Israel fulfills its objectives, either through talks on the next two phases of the ceasefire, which will begin in 15 days, or by resuming the military. action in Gaza.

“I want to make it clear that Israel is determined to achieve all the war objectives decided by the security cabinet, including the return of all our hostages, the dismantling of the power of the Hamas government and the military, and ensuring that the Gaza Strip. it will not be a threat to the Government of Israel and its citizens, he said.

Although Israel has said it opposes the release of known terrorists, some of those on the release list are responsible for the deadly and infamous attacks of the Second Intifada. Ahmad Barghouti was sentenced to 13 life terms for leading the cell after multiple attacks killed 12 Israelis, including a suicide attack at the Seafood Market restaurant in Tel Aviv. Wael Qassem, Wassam Abbasi and Mohammed Odeh were members of the cell that attacked Cafe Moment in Jerusalem, killing 11, the Spaghettim Club in Rishon LeZion, killing 15, and the Frank Sinatra Cafeteria at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, killing nine. Abdullah Sharabat, Mandi Zaatari and Samer Alatrash were members of the cell that blew up three buses in Jerusalem in 2003, killing 30 Israelis, including seven children.

Some notorious terrorists do not serve life in prison so they will be released in the West Bank rather than deported. Zakaria Zubeidi, who escaped from prison in 2021, was the commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Jenin responsible for a series of attacks including the attack on the Likud headquarters in Beit Shean, which killed six Israelis. Mahmoud Atallah, who sexually assaulted six Israeli prison guards, will also be released.