Gaza ceasefire takes effect ahead of hostage release

Fighting in Gaza halted on Sunday as the ceasefire deal negotiated went into effect, ending the 15-month-long war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Residents in Gaza said they heard no new fighting between the groups about a half hour before the ceasefire was set to begin, Reuters reported.

The pause in fighting is the first phase of the truce, announced last week, and will bring relief to the people of Gaza who have experienced destruction and famine in the region.

Although Israel agreed to the terms of the three-part plan, airstrikes and attacks continued in northern Gaza after the 6:30 p.m. deadline.

Israel blamed Hamas for the delay after the country said the group failed to provide a list naming the first three hostages set to be released on Sunday under the agreement, the outlet reported.

Hamas later confirmed the name of three female Israeli hostages to be released.

They include Romi Gonen, 24, Doron Steinbrecher, 31, and dual U.K.-Israel citizen Emily Damari, 28, CNN reported.

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

According to family, Gonen was shot in the hand when she was taken from Israel’s Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023.

Steinbrecher was kidnapped from her apartment and her family raised concerns about her health and access to daily medication when in captivity, CNN reported.

Damari was kidnapped at her home, and her family said she was injured during the initial attack. She is the only remaining British citizen being held hostage in Gaza.

During the Oct. 7, 2023 attack when Hamas invaded Israel and kickstarted the months-long war, more than 250 people were kidnapped by the militant group and have been held hostage.

Several have already been released through negotiated deals, but many have also died throughout the duration of the conflict. It’s believed Hamas still holds nearly 90 hostages, expected to be released through the deal announced by President Biden earlier this week.

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