The ceasefire-hostage deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect in the Gaza Strip on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. local time, bringing an initial six-week period of calm to the region, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
However, the truce is still considered fragile after Hamas delayed its implementation by nearly three hours. During the delay, Israel killed at least 19 Palestinians, Al Jazeera reported.
Israel has confirmed the names of three Israeli captives to be freed on Sunday. They are 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, dual British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen.
Hamas said that for every hostage they release, Israel will free 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Thousands of displaced Palestinians have also begun to go back to their home, as cheers of relief mix with the cries of the thousands of orphaned children and maimed victims as a result of the war.
Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2024, marked the beginning of the war, killing about 1,200 people and taking back 251 hostages back to Gaza.
Since then, Israel has killed more than 46,913 Palestinians, including over 18,000 children. Many analysts and rights groups believe the real death toll to be far higher.