Israel: "No Hostage Release or Ceasefire Until the 24th"... One Day Delay Compared to Hamas Announcement (Update)

Final Coordination on Ceasefire Treaty Ratification
Prisoner Release Hostage List Also Kept Confidential... Cautious Stance

The Israeli government announced that the temporary ceasefire for the release of hostages with the Palestinian armed group Hamas will take place on the 24th (local time), a day later than previously expected, sparking controversy both inside and outside Israel. Concerns are rising that negotiations may have hit another snag after Hamas announced that the temporary ceasefire would take effect from the morning of the 23rd, only for this to be denied shortly afterward.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

According to the Times of Israel on the 22nd (local time), Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said in a press briefing, "The first hostage release will not take place by the 24th," adding, "Negotiations for the release of hostages are ongoing and will begin according to the original agreement between the parties." He reiterated, "It will not happen before Friday (the 24th)."

This statement has caused controversy as it is a day later than the ceasefire schedule announced by Hamas. Previously, Hamas stated that the ceasefire would take effect starting on the 23rd. Egypt's state-run Al Kahira TV reported, citing a Hamas official, that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a four-day temporary ceasefire, which would take effect at 10 a.m. on the 23rd.

As a result, suspicions have arisen that the ceasefire negotiations are facing difficulties again. The Times of Israel, citing Israeli government sources, reported, "It is unclear whether the Israeli delegation, which is still in Qatar, has received the list of hostages to be released this time," and added, "The Israeli government will not disclose the list of hostages even if it receives it, in case the negotiations collapse."

Furthermore, the source said, "The ceasefire negotiations themselves are still undergoing final adjustments regarding the ratification of the ceasefire agreement document," and "The ceasefire document still requires signatures from all parties involved, and the finalization is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours."