Gaza ceasefire has a test to overcome before it’s even begun

8.30am has come and gone. The ceasefire that so many millions in Gaza and Israel had been desperately hoping for, has not happened.

Seconds later, black smoke started rising above northern Gaza in what must have been a message from the IDF to Hamas: this is what is at stake; abide by terms of the deal, release the names of the three hostages due to be handed over today, otherwise the war will continue.

Hamas blame “technical field reasons”, which I understand might relate to their difficulties passing messages between their leadership in Gaza. They have long avoided mobile phones to prevent detection by the Israeli military.

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Many in Israel will naturally blame Hamas for playing games and risking the lives of the hostages and the Gazan people.

If we’re looking for optimism during these tense moments, then the fact that Hamas has taken responsibility, rather than blaming Israel, might be encouraging.

But so many hours and months have been expended during the negotiation of this deal, and thousands of lives lost as round-after-round broke down, so for it to be delayed because Hamas hasn’t given the first three names to Israel is deeply frustrating.

The mediating teams knew the ceasefire would be shaky, they knew that there would be bumps in the road and have encouraged both Israel and Hamas to remain calm as any difficulties are worked through.

They already have an early test to overcome, and before the ceasefire has even begun.