Hamas released three Israeli hostages, and Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday as part of a ceasefire agreement, halting a 15-month-long conflict that devastated Gaza and fueled tensions across the region. The truce allowed Palestinians to return to their destroyed homes, with aid supplies reaching the area to support recovery efforts.
Celebrations erupted in Gaza, and fireworks lit the skies in the West Bank as released Palestinian prisoners were welcomed by large crowds. In Israel, hundreds of Israelis gathered outside the Defense Ministry, eagerly watching a live broadcast of the release of three female hostages, who were later reunited with their families.
This ceasefire marks the first significant pause in the conflict, with over 47,000 Palestinians reported dead due to Israeli airstrikes, and nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents displaced. The ceasefire terms include halting hostilities, delivering aid to Gaza, and releasing 33 more hostages within six weeks in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The truce was not without controversy, as some Israeli hardliners opposed it, and US officials warned Hamas against violating the agreement. However, for many in Gaza, the ceasefire offered little comfort amidst the destruction, as they mourned the loss of loved ones.
