MIDDLE EAST
Hamas frees Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire takes effect
January 20, 2025 - The fragile long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is entering its second day, with Hamas releasing three Israeli hostages and Israel freeing 90 Palestinians.
Related Graphics
View More
Israeli strike on Gaza hospital kills Hamas leader
El Salvador prison where Trump sent deported Venezuelans
Israel launches deadly airstrikes across Gaza
U.S. vows to keep hitting Yemen’s Houthis
Duterte: Inside the ICC Detention Centre
Centre-right party springs surprise in Greenland elections
Arab leaders endorse Egypt’s plan to rebuild Gaza
Israel expands offensive in occupied West Bank
Hamas hands over first dead Israeli hostages
Dozens injured as driver crashes car into Munich rally
Trump threatens to cut aid to Jordan, Egypt if they refute Gaza relocation
Hamas says it will postpone release of Israeli hostages
Trump to impose 25% tariff on steel, aluminium imports
Israel troops withdraw from corridor that split Gaza in two
GIUK Gap critical for NATO security
Trump proposes the U.S. taking ownership of Gaza Strip
Doomsday clock edges to 89 seconds to midnight
85% of Greenlanders do not want to be part of U.S.
Palestinians return to devastated northern Gaza
Main points of the Gaza ceasefire agreement
Trump refuses to rule out using U.S. military to annex Greenland
New Orleans attacker did not act alone, FBI believes
At least 10 killed in New Orleans car-ramming attack
Germany to investigate warnings over Magdeburg attack suspect
U.S. vows tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China
Israeli PM Netanyahu joins other ICC fugitives
Israel’s Netanyahu dismisses his defence minister
Israel ends agreement with main aid provider in Gaza
Who is Hezbollah’s new leader Naim Qassem?
EU slams duties on EVs from China
The start of the ceasefire was delayed by several hours on Sunday morning, after Hamas was late confirming the hostages' names. Nineteen Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes before the list was delivered.
Once the truce began, hundreds of displaced people began heading back to their homes across Gaza and convoys of lorries carrying desperately needed humanitarian aid crossed into the territory.
The three-phase deal was brokered last week by the U.S., Egypt and Qatar. The first phase lasting six weeks should see a total 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas exchanged for about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes, and hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into the territory each day, the BBC said.