Gaza ceasefire takes effect as Hamas releases names of 3 captives to be freed

CAIRO – 19 January 2025: The ceasefire in Gaza took effect on Sunday 11:15 AM local time (0915 GMT) as Hamas submitted to mediators the names of captives set to be released today.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced earlier that the Gaza ceasefire will come into effect on 11:15 AM local time.

The ceasefire is set to halt the Israeli attacks on Gaza, ongoing since October 2023.

Joy flooded streets in Gaza as Palestinians are celebrating the ceasefire.

Hamas's armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades spokesman Abu Obaida said captives to be released today are Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31).

These three captives will be released in exchange for some 95 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women, according to a list published by the Israeli justice ministry on Friday.

At least 10 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza since 08:30, the planned time of the start of the ceasefire, which was delayed by Israel as Hamas was yet to release the list of captives.

Hamas affirmed today their commitment to the ceasefire agreement, blaming “technical field reasons” for the delay.

Check our Live Update on major events during the first day of the Gaza ceasefire, set to take effect on Sunday.

https://t.co/7E7zAYDxCq

It is Sunday 8:30 local time (0630 GMT) and the long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza was set to start now, offering hope to bring an end to over 15 months of Israeli war that has devastated the enclave and resulted in tens of thousands of casualties.#غره…

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) January 19, 2025

On this first day of the ceasefire, the initial three female captives are set to be released by Hamas, allowing them to reunite with their families.

This release is part of a larger exchange involving a significant number of Palestinian prisoners.

Egypt has readied its hospitals to receive Palestinian patients and the injured through the Rafah border crossing, when it opens.

Moreover, the Egyptian Red Crescent is intensifying efforts to deliver huge quantities of humanitarian aid.

The ceasefire deal, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, was announced just this past Wednesday after a year of tireless mediation between Israel and Hamas.

This agreement comprises three phases.

During this initial phase, 33 Israeli captives out of around 94 held by Hamas in Gaza— about one-third of whom are presumed dead— will be released over the course of 42 days.

In return, Israel is expected to release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in the first phase, says Egypt’s foreign ministry.