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The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel came into effect early Sunday, marking a significant turning point in the conflict.
The truce, mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, paved the way for a carefully orchestrated prisoner swap that saw the release of three Israeli hostages and 90 Palestinian prisoners within hours of its implementation.
The ceasefire officially began at 11:15 a.m. local time, though its execution faced a three-hour delay due to last-minute tensions.
Despite the initial hiccup, both parties adhered to the terms of the deal, which promises to halt a 15-month-long conflict that has claimed over 46,000 lives and displaced millions.
Hamas released the first three Israeli hostages—Doron Steinbrecher, Romi Gonen, and Emily Damari—on Sunday. Steinbrecher, a 31-year-old veterinary nurse, was kidnapped during the militant group’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Gonen, 24, was abducted from the Nova music festival, while Damari, a 28-year-old dual British-Israeli national, was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on the Gaza border.
In return, Israel released 90 Palestinian detainees—69 women and 21 minors—from the Ofer Prison near Ramallah. The prisoners were welcomed by large crowds in the West Bank city early Monday morning.
The ceasefire is structured into three phases over 42 days and hinges on the exchange of hostages for prisoners. During the first phase, Hamas has agreed to release 33 civilian hostages, while Israel will free approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees, many of whom are women and children.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it facilitated Sunday’s initial exchange and remains a key player in ensuring the agreement’s ongoing implementation.
Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, took credit for the breakthrough, calling it a victory of his incoming administration’s diplomacy.
Speaking at a rally on the eve of his inauguration, Trump highlighted the accomplishment, stating, “We’ve achieved an epic ceasefire agreement as a first step toward lasting peace in the Middle East. This couldn’t have happened without the momentum of our historic November victory.”
Trump also praised Steve Witkoff, his incoming Middle East envoy, for spearheading the negotiation efforts. “What a job our team has done—achieving more in just three months than they did in four years,” Trump said, referencing the current administration.
The ceasefire’s success hinges on sustained cooperation between the parties. Humanitarian aid trucks have already started entering Gaza, and thousands of displaced Palestinians are cautiously returning to their homes. However, with nearly 90 Israeli hostages still in captivity and uncertainties surrounding their conditions, tensions remain high.