The Israel Defense Forces attacked Hamas targets in the central and northern Gaza Strip on Sunday morning, the military announced.
The strikes in Gaza came as the terrorist organization has refused to provide the names of the hostages set to be released on Sunday, in breach of the ceasefire deal with Jerusalem, the IDF noted.
“The IDF continues to operate and attack terrorist targets in Gaza. A short time ago, several terror targets in the northern and central Gaza Strip were attacked with artillery fire and aircraft,” the military said.
“The IDF continues to be prepared for defense and attack, and will not allow the security of the residents of the State of Israel to be harmed,” it added.
The statement came shortly after IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari announced that military operations against Hamas in Gaza were continuing “as usual” amid the delay in providing the list of names.
“Hamas is not fulfilling its obligation and, in a breach of the agreement, the names of the returning hostages have not been provided to Israel at this time. At the prime minister’s direction, the ceasefire will not go into effect as long as Hamas does not fulfill its commitment,” Hagari stated.
The IDF subsequently issued a statement announcing that Israeli Air Force fighter jets were conducting additional strikes in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security assessment overnight Saturday “regarding the delay in receiving the list of hostages expected to be released,” according to a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The premier “instructed the Israel Defense Forces that the ceasefire, which is scheduled to take effect at 8:30 a.m., will not begin until Israel has the list of hostages to be released, which Hamas has pledged to provide.”
The deal stipulates that Hamas must provide the names of the hostages at least 24 hours ahead of their release, with the first three captives expected to be freed on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Hamas attributed the delay to “technical reasons,” reiterating “its commitment to the terms of the ceasefire agreement.”
