The start of a truce prompted celebrations in Gaza, where Hamas militants were openly back on the streets after 15 months of war. Three women were the first hostages returned to Israel, which plans to release dozens of Palestinian prisoners later today.The New York Times reports that in Jerusalem, the current time is 6:42 p.m. on Jan. 19. However, in 2025, on the same date, at 11:38 a.m. ET, live updates were being reported as the first hostages were returning to Israel as a Gaza cease-fire took hold. This initial stage of the truce between Israel and Hamas was met with celebrations in Gaza and brought hope for an end to the 15-month war.
The first Israeli hostages to be released were three women, identified as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, who were captured during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in Israel. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release 90 Palestinian prisoners, all women or minors, later on Sunday.
In Gaza City, Palestinian Hamas militants handed the Israeli hostages over to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday. Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, people gathered at a plaza known as Hostages Square to watch the release of the hostages on screens. In Beitunia, West Bank, Palestinian Authority security forces were preparing for crowds ahead of the prisoner release.
Displaced Palestinians in Rafah were able to return to their homes in southern Gaza, while in Doha, Qatar, Palestinians injured in the conflict celebrated the news of the ceasefire. Aid trucks were seen lining up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Near Tel Aviv, screens were being set up to protect the privacy of the hostages expected to arrive at the Sheba Medical Center. In southern Gaza, Palestinians were inspecting the rubble in Rafah, while in northern Gaza, displaced Palestinians were attempting to return to their homes.
On the Israel-Gaza border, smoke could be seen in Beit Hanoun, a town in northern Gaza, from a hill in Sderot, Israel. Israeli troops were seen sitting atop a tank, while Palestinian militants celebrated in southern Gaza. Pictures of the hostages held in Gaza were also released on Saturday.
As the truce took effect on Sunday morning, joyful Palestinians honked car horns and blasted music in the central Gaza city of Deir al Balah, where celebratory gunfire rang out and children played in the streets. The cease-fire brings hope for a peaceful resolution to the devastating 15-month war between Israel and Hamas.
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