Netanyahu says Gaza ceasefire won’t start until Hamas gives hostages list

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli military not to begin the ceasefire in Gaza, scheduled to start at 8:30 am (0630 GMT) until Hamas issues the names of the captives to be released, his office said.

“The prime minister instructed the IDF that the ceasefire, which is supposed to go into effect at 8:30 am, will not begin until Israel has the list of released abductees that Hamas has pledged to provide,” his office said in a statement on Sunday.

In a statement shortly afterwards, Hamas blamed the delay in handing over the names on “technical field reasons.” It said that it is committed to the ceasefire deal announced last week.

This latest development comes hours after Netanyahu in a speech said Israel retains the right to resume war in Gaza, and that it has US backing to do so should the second stage of the ceasefire is fruitless.