- Hamas on Sunday released three hostages, all women, who were being held in Gaza since the Palestinian group launched attacks on Israeli cities on October 7, 2023. According to the agreement, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners from its prisons.
- A total of 33 hostages taken by Hamas during its deadly attack will be returned from Gaza during an initial 42-day ceasefire. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will also be released from Israeli jails.
- An emotional video shared by the Israeli military showed that three hostages – Emily Damri, Romy Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher – were reunited with their mothers.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had emerged “from darkness.” He added, “Romy, Doron and Emily – the whole country embraces you. Congratulations on your homecoming. I promise: we will bring everyone home.”
- Israel began a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza on Sunday, about three hours later than scheduled. The ceasefire was delayed when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – an hour before the 0630 GMT deadline – demanded that Hamas provide the names of three hostages who were to be released on Sunday as part of the deal.
- Hamas said it was committed to a ceasefire but was unable to provide a list of hostages due to “technical territorial reasons”. Names were then shared and a ceasefire finally began at 0915 GMT.
- Hamas’ October 7 attack killed 1,210 people, mostly civilians. Of the 251 taken hostage, 94 are still in Gaza, 34 of whom have been killed according to the Israeli military.
- Negotiations on the second phase of the agreement will begin on the 16th day after the first phase and are likely to include the release of all remaining hostages. The third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining bodies and the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza.
- The only previous ceasefire in the war was for a week in November 2023 when Hamas released hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
- More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 110,000 wounded in Israeli attacks in Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack, the deadliest attack in Israel’s history. Almost the entire 23 lakh population of Gaza is homeless.