Gaza ceasefire begins with prisoner exchange

A ceasefire in Gaza marks the end of a 15-month conflict, facilitating prisoner releases.

This image shows an Israeli hostage exiting a vehicle to be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) during a hostage-prisoner exchange operation in Saraya Square, western Gaza City, on January 19, 2025. Photo by Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

By Nada Fadiyah and Widya Putri

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has officially taken effect after a nearly three-hour delay, temporarily halting a devastating 15-month conflict in Gaza. The truce began at 11:15am local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday, following Hamas's submission of a list naming three female captives to be released as part of the agreement. The prisoner exchange is central to the ceasefire deal, with three Israeli captives and approximately 95 Palestinian detainees set to be freed on the first day.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the release of the three captives would occur after 4:00pm (14:00 GMT) on Sunday. Netanyahu’s office also stated that four additional living female captives are scheduled for release within seven days.

Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, served as a key mediator in brokering the agreement. Majed al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the ceasefire had taken effect. "The names of the three captives to be released today have been handed over to the Israeli side," he stated. These captives include Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari. Two of them hold dual citizenships: one British and one Romanian.

Delays in the ceasefire’s implementation earlier in the day were attributed to disputes over the list of captives. Israel blamed Hamas for failing to provide the names by the agreed deadline, while Hamas cited unspecified “technical” reasons for the delay.

In Gaza, the ceasefire brings a tentative sense of relief. Thousands of displaced Palestinians are attempting to return to their neighborhoods, despite the widespread destruction. Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary, reporting from Khan Younis, described scenes of people preparing to move back to areas previously off-limits, including Jabalia in the north and Rafah in the south.

"People know their homes are likely gone, yet they are determined to return, even if it means pitching tents on the rubble," Khoudary said. Many displaced residents view the ceasefire as a glimmer of hope amidst unimaginable suffering.

One displaced woman from northern Gaza expressed cautious optimism: "We deserve life. This ceasefire agreement is good news, and we are grateful to everyone who worked to end this war."

Gaza's Government Media Office announced that thousands of police officers have been deployed to maintain security and order across the region. Municipalities have begun reopening streets and initiating cleanup operations. Government institutions are also preparing for the gradual restoration of normalcy, with the return of displaced residents expected to commence next week.

The ceasefire provides a brief respite from what has been described as the deadliest conflict of the 21st century. Over the past 15 months, at least 46,899 Palestinians have been killed, with another 110,725 injured, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence. In contrast, 1,139 people were killed in Israel during Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive.

The conflict has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu facing allegations of war crimes at the International Criminal Court and accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. These developments have intensified scrutiny on Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which human rights organizations have labeled as disproportionate and in violation of international law.

Despite the ceasefire, challenges remain in achieving lasting peace. The temporary truce offers a momentary reprieve, but tensions are far from resolved. Efforts to rebuild Gaza and address the root causes of the conflict will be critical in determining whether this ceasefire leads to more sustainable solutions or simply delays further violence.

As the first day of the agreement unfolds, attention will remain on the prisoner exchanges and their broader implications for the region. For Palestinians and Israelis alike, the ceasefire represents a pause in hostilities, but the path to lasting peace remains fraught with uncertainty.

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