Netanyahu issued a statement shortly after he said Gaza ceasefire to be delayed until Hamas confirms names of first hostages it plans to release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas blamed technical problems for the failure to hand over the list and said it remained committed to the deal.
Israel launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to an attack on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Nearly 46,900 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-ruled territory’s health ministry. Most of the 2.3 million people have been displaced, there is widespread destruction, and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as the struggle to help those living in need.
Israel says 94 hostages are still being held by Hamas, 34 of whom are believed to be dead.
In the first phase of the six-week ceasefire agreement, 33 hostages – including women, children and the elderly – are to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Israeli forces will also withdraw to the east, away from densely populated areas of Gaza, while displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed into the territory each day.
Negotiations on the second phase – which should involve the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli forces and a return to “sustainable calm” – will begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.
The third and final phase will involve the rebuilding of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of the hostages.
