Hamas releases first three hostages after ceasefire deal with Israel

A ceasefire agreement is a critical first step, but it must be upheld. Parties to conflict must ensure safe, unimpeded access for aid to reach every child,

UNICEF added

The ceasefire has gone into effect in Gaza,

he told reporters in South Carolina

The Israeli government embraces the three returns,

it said in a statement

I was pleased to have our team speak as one voice in the final days,

he said

I’m happy, because of the ceasefire people can live peacefully,

she said

They appear to be in good health.”

Although he

The three returns have now been transferred to the IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip,

the statement said

The three women hostages were officially handed over to the Red Cross at al-Saraya Square in the al-Rimal neighbourhood in western Gaza City,

the official said

We are finally in our home. There is no home left, just rubble, but it's our home,

said Rana Mohsen, 43, back in Jabalia

I don't trust our side or their side,

said taxi driver David Gutterman

Entire areas have been completely wiped out

he told AFP, describing "decomposing bodies

We confirm that the names of the three hostages who will be released today have been handed over to the Israeli side,

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said in a statement

I pray so much for them, and their families. I also hope that humanitarian aid will even more quickly reach ... the people of Gaza, who have so many urgent needs,

Francis said

This ceasefire is critical for the humanitarian response. Safety, and access must be ensured,

the UN agency said

The IDF continues to strike within the Gaza area at this time. According to the prime minister's directives, the ceasefire will not come into effect until Hamas fulfils its commitments,

he said in a televised statement

A massive effort has been underway over the past days from humanitarian partners to load and prepare to distribute a surge of aid across all of Gaza,

said Whittall, who is the interim chief of the UN's OCHA aid agency for the Palestinian territories

I'm very, very happy,

said Wafa al-Habeel

Last night, in a special operation by the Shin Bet (security agency) and the IDF (military) ... we brought back to Israel the body of Golani fighter Oron Shaul,

the military said in a statement

Hostages starting to come out today! Three wonderful young women will be first,

Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social

As part of the ... prisoner swap deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigade decided to release the following Israeli prisoners today,

the group said in a statement, giving the names of three women