A long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas finally took effect Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay, offering a fragile pause in a devastating 15-month war that has reshaped the Middle East. 🌍
What Caused the Delay? 🕒
The truce hit a snag when Hamas missed a deadline to provide a list of hostages to be released. Israel accused the group of stalling, while Hamas cited vague \"technical issues.\" A Palestinian official claimed mediators wanted 48 hours of calm first—something made tricky by last-minute Israeli strikes.
Casualties Amid Uncertainty 😢
Palestinian medics reported 13 deaths during the delay window, underscoring the human cost of even brief lapses in diplomacy. Residents in Gaza noted a sudden silence in the skies 30 minutes before the ceasefire began.
Hostages & Hopes for Peace 🕊️
Hamas later sent a list naming three hostages—Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari—as part of the deal. While Israel hasn’t confirmed the names yet, the move signals cautious progress. The conflict, ignited by Hamas’ October 2023 attack (1,200 Israeli deaths) and Israel’s response (47,000 Palestinian deaths), has drawn in regional players like Iran, deepening tensions.
Will this ceasefire lead to lasting peace? The world watches. 👀
