The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has finally taken effect almost three hours later than planned due to  Hamas failing to provide a list of hostages set for release.

It prompted Israel to continue its military operations until the names were confirmed.

9News Senior Reporter Jess Milward told Peter Fegan on 4BC Breakfast, "It cost lives, this delay this morning."

"Israel continued to bombard the strip with airstrikes and several people did die."

"You get the sense here that people keep saying to me, I'll believe it when I see it and this morning, it was agony," Milward said.

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