The first phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, marking a significant step towards ending more than 15 months of conflict in Gaza. On Monday, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages held by Hamas. This marked the completion of the first exchange under the truce, which aims to restore peace to the region and facilitate humanitarian aid. The truce, brokered by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, is set to last for an initial 42 days.
The three hostages — Emily Damari (28), Romi Gonen (24), and Doron Steinbrecher (31) — were released by Hamas on Sunday and reunited with their families. They were quickly taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed to be in stable condition. Later, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Palestinian prisoners released by Israel were seen leaving Ofer prison early on Monday, greeted by jubilant crowds in Beitunia.
The truce has allowed displaced Palestinians to begin returning to their homes in Gaza. While many found only rubble where their homes once stood, some expressed relief at being back in their neighborhoods. Rana Mohsen, 43, returned to Jabalia, stating, “We are finally in our home. There is no home left, just rubble, but it’s our home.”
The exchange is part of a broader agreement where 33 Israeli hostages, including 31 captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, are to be returned in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian detainees. This list includes over 230 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, many of whom are expected to be deported to Qatar or Turkey.
The ceasefire also facilitates humanitarian aid for Gaza. The first trucks of aid entered Gaza on Sunday, bringing much-needed supplies to the devastated region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the ceasefire, emphasizing its importance in overcoming obstacles to aid delivery. The World Health Organization also prepared to send aid, though it stressed the need for systematic access across Gaza to rebuild the health system, which has been severely impacted by the conflict.
In a disturbing move, Hamas gave the three released Israeli hostages ‘gift bags’ that included photos from their captivity, a picture of Gaza, and a ‘certificate.’ This act, part of a propaganda campaign by Hamas, was met with shock and outrage, with many condemning it as a grotesque display of manipulation.
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