Three Israeli women were released from captivity in Gaza on Sunday, marking the start of a long-awaited cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. The truce prompted celebrations in Gaza, relief for families of captives and prisoners, and hopes for an end to the 15-month war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office identified the freed hostages as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, who were captured during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks that left some 1,200 Israeli dead and 250 hostages taken into Gaza, leading to the prolonged conflict. In exchange, Israel was expected to release 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women or minors, later on Sunday.
The agreement came after months of mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. The initial phase of the 42-day truce began at 11:15 a.m. local time, three hours later than planned, as Israel awaited formal confirmation of the hostages’ identities. During the truce, Hamas is set to release 33 of the roughly 100 hostages it holds, while Israel will free more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, according to media reports.
In Gaza, Hamas militants openly took to the streets for the first time since the conflict began, with masked gunmen appearing in several cities. The Hamas-run police force, which had largely vanished during Israeli attacks, announced it was redeploying personnel to “preserve security and order,” according to the government media office, the New York Times reported.
The cease-fire follows a devastating 470-day war that has left more than 46,000 Palestinians dead and over 110,000 injured, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Much of Gaza lies in ruins, and most of its roughly two million residents have been displaced.
Humanitarian aid began flowing into Gaza shortly after the truce took effect. United Nations trucks carrying supplies entered the territory within 15 minutes of the cease-fire’s start, said Jonathan Whittall, head of the U.N. humanitarian office for the Palestinian territories, according to media reports.
Despite the agreement, major unresolved issues remain. At the end of the 42-day truce, Hamas will still hold around two-thirds of the remaining hostages, some of whom are believed to be dead. Israel will continue to occupy parts of Gaza and retain high-profile prisoners, leaving the potential for further conflict.
