Gaza ceasefire: Three Israeli hostages arrive in Israel

The ceasefire ushers in the first six weeks of calm and raises hopes for the release of nearly 100 remaining hostages and an end to the devastating 15-month war. A last-minute delay by Hamas delayed the start of the ceasefire by nearly three hours, but the spokesman for Hamas’ military wing later said it was committed to the ceasefire.

Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations broke out across Gaza and some Palestinians began to return home.

Next was the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners later on Sunday. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, families and friends gathered excitedly as cars honked and people waved the Palestinian flag.

The ceasefire, which started at 11:15 local time, is the first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning hostages abducted in the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

Between the planned ceasefire and its taking hold, Israeli fire killed at least 26 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry. It did not say whether they were civilians or fighters. The military has warned people to stay away from Israeli forces as they withdraw to a buffer zone inside Gaza.

Israel’s hardline national security minister, meanwhile, said his Jewish Power faction left the government in protest over the ceasefire. Itamar Ben-Gvir’s departure weakens Netanyahu’s coalition but will not affect the ceasefire.

In a separate development, Israel announced that it had found the body of Oron Shaul, a soldier killed in the 2014 Israel-Hamas war, in a special operation in Gaza. The bodies of Shaul and another soldier, Hadar Goldin, were left behind after the 2014 war.

What’s next

Netanyahu warned on Saturday that he had Trump’s backing to continue the fight if necessary.

The 42 days first phase of the ceasefire should see the gradual return of 33 hostages and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The next release of hostages is expected on Saturday.

This is just the second ceasefire in the war, longer and more consequential than a week-long pause in November 2023, with the potential to end the fighting for good.

Negotiations on the far more difficult second phase of the ceasefire were to begin in just over two weeks. Big questions remain, including whether the war will resume after the first phase.

‘Joy mixed with pain’

All over Gaza there was relief and sorrow. The fighting has killed tens of thousands, devastated large areas and displaced the majority of the population.

“This ceasefire was a joy mixed with pain because my son was martyred in this war,” said Rami Nofal, a displaced man from Gaza City.

Masked militants appeared at some celebrations, with crowds chanting slogans in support of them, according to Associated Press reporters in Gaza. The Hamas-run police began deploying publicly after mostly lying low due to Israeli airstrikes.

Some families went home on foot, their belongings loaded onto donkey carts.

In the southern city of Rafah, residents returned to find massive destruction. Some found human remains in the rubble, including skulls.

“It’s like watching a Hollywood horror movie,” resident Mohamed Abu Taha said as he inspected the ruins of his family’s home.

Israeli forces were already withdrawing from areas. Residents of Beit Lahiya and Jabaliya in northern Gaza told the AP they did not see Israeli troops there.

One resident said they saw bodies in the streets that appeared to have been there for weeks.

The Israelis disagree on the cease-fire agreement

In Israel, people remained divided about the deal.

Asher Pizem, 35, from the town of Sderot, said the deal had merely postponed the next confrontation with Hamas. He also criticized Israel for allowing aid to Gaza, saying it would contribute to the militant group’s revival.

“They will take their time and attack again,” he said as he watched the smoldering ruins of Gaza from a small hill in southern Israel with other Israelis gathered there.

Asked on Sunday if he is concerned about Hamas’ regrouping, Biden said no.

Huge toll

The toll of the war has been enormousand new details will now emerge. The head of the Rafah municipality in Gaza, Ahmed al-Sufi, said that much of the infrastructure, including water, electricity and road networks, was destroyed, in addition to thousands of homes.

Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which says women and children make up more than half of those killed, but does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.

The Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that triggered the war killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and militants abducted around 250 others. More than 100 hostages were freed during the week-long ceasefire in November 2023.

About 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced. Reconstruction – if the ceasefire reaches its final stage – will take at least several years. Big questions about Gaza’s future, political and otherwise, remain unresolved.

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Magdy reported from Cairo and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press reporters Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Sam Mednick in Ramallah in the West Bank and Mohammad Jahjouh in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip contributed to this report.

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