The Hamas militant group announced on Sunday its intention to release three Israeli women hostages — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher — as part of an agreement brokered to facilitate a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the delay in providing the hostages’ names and starting the truce highlights the fragility of the arrangement.

The ceasefire was scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time but was delayed after Israeli officials stated that Hamas had not fulfilled its commitment to provide the names of the hostages in time. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israeli military, confirmed that Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, targeting militant positions in northern and central parts of the enclave. The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least eight fatalities from Israeli strikes in Gaza City earlier on Sunday.

Hamas attributed the delay to “technical field reasons” and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire deal. Mediators have assured Israel that the list of hostages will be handed over soon and that the agreement is expected to proceed. However, the timeline remains uncertain.

This ceasefire, if implemented, marks a critical step in a broader agreement aimed at de-escalating the conflict and securing the release of nearly 100 hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel’s political landscape was further disrupted by the resignation of Cabinet ministers from the far-right Jewish Power party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, in protest of the ceasefire. Although this weakens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, it does not impede the government’s ability to implement the ceasefire deal.