Israel-Hamas ceasefire starts as last remaining British hostage named as one to be released
A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has come into force, with the last remaining British hostage in Gaza named as one of three people set to be released in the deal.
A ceasefire deal, which promised the phased release of hostages as well as a pause in the 15-month Israel-Hamas war, was delayed on Sunday morning and came into force at 9.15am UK time.
Hamas named three hostages it plans to release, including British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, who has been in captivity for 470 days.
A lawyer for her family said there has been no "independent verification" that she will be released.
Adam Rose told Times Radio: "No, we've not had any independent verification. I've seen what's out in public, I've been in touch with the family, but not had specific confirmation yet, no."
He said Ms Damari's family are in an "impossible position".
"Their daughter, their only daughter, now 28, was taken from her home on October 7 2023," he said.
Mr Rose said the “ongoing torture” that the family have been through is "unimaginable”.
Equally, British Palestinians with family in Gaza have expressed their relief over the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, but say they are worried about what’s going to happen next.
Wafaa Shamallakh, 38, an Arabic interpreter who works for Kingston Council, said that while she was happy to share the news of the ceasefire with her siblings in Gaza, she still fears for them.
Ms Shamallakh, said she lost 10 members of her family in an airstrike in Sheikh Eljeen, south-west Gaza on October 8 2023.
Her mother is currently in Egypt after losing her home in Gaza, while her brother and sister are currently staying in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
"Since the announcement (on Wednesday), more than 80 people have been killed, so we’re still waiting for Sunday," Ms Shamallakh told the PA news agency.
"There's no guarantees that the Israeli side will do what they agreed. We're still afraid and scared of what's going to happen next."
Ms Shamallakh has tried to bring her mother to the UK but her visa application was rejected.
"As a British Palestinian, who has been living here in this country for more than 17 years, I am unable to bring my family to safety."
Mohammed Ghalayini, a British Palestinian scientist from Gaza City living in Manchester, said a ceasefire is just a start for the Palestinian people.
Mr Ghalayini, 45, who lived in Gaza from the age of nine to 25, said he has seen repeated agreements that have "come to nothing" over the years.
Mr Ghalayini was visiting family in Gaza when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7 2023.
He chose to stay there with his mother and sister, eventually having to flee to safety in Egypt in December 2023, before returning to Manchester.
Since the war started, Mr Ghalayini said he has lost 100 family members on both sides.
"I guess the night can't last forever, then Palestine will be free, it's a matter of when and how," he said.
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