Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said that the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was delayed as Hamas had not fulfilled its obligation to send Israel the list of hostages to be released on the first day, Reuters reports.

As the scheduled time for the ceasefire to start at 8:30am (11:30am PST) passed, Israeli tanks continued to shell areas in Gaza.

In a brief televised address, Hagari said the political echelon had directed the military to delay implementation and that it retained freedom to continue attacks in the Gaza Strip as long as the ceasefire had not taken effect.

Hagari said the military was completely ready to implement the ceasefire, which would open the way to a possible end of the 15-month conflict, but it was also ready to act in case Hamas broke the terms of the deal.