Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

It is important to stress that the deal is a fragile truce not a cessation of the conflict,

writes Sanam Vakil of Chatham House

Gideon Sa'arisraeli Foreign Minister

Hamas was obliged to provide the names of the first female hostages to be released at 4pm yesterday,

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told journalists shortly after the ceasefire started

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

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

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

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

the UN agency said

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

If (Hamas) will stay in power, the regional instability it causes might continue,

Saar said at a press conference shortly after the start of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that was agreed last week

Itamar Ben-Gvirnational Security Minister

We will not return to the government table without a complete victory against Hamas and the full realization of the war's goals."

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement published on social media on Sunday

The ceasefire will not come into effect so long as Hamas does not fulfill its obligations,

Hagari said

Pursuant to the framework for the release of the hostages, the ceasefire of the first stage in Gaza will take effect at 11:15."

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the office of Prime Minister of Israel posted

I was on my way home with my family when we heard the sound of bombing,

said Mohammed Baraka, 36.

I'm really stressed because I don't know about the situation of Ofer, my cousin,

said Ifat Kaldron, whose cousin is among the hostages

I'm dying of despair,

said Maha Abed, a 27-year-old displaced from Rafah who had been waiting since dawn for her husband to pick her up and take her home

Enough playing with our emotions — we're exhausted,

she added

The first thing I will do is go and check my house,

Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two who was displaced from Gaza City's Zaytoun neighborhood, told the Associated Press

Regarding reports when the ceasefire will begin in Gaza, we confirm that the names of the 3 hostages to be released today have been handed over to the Israeli side,

Majed al-Ansari said

Government ministries and institutions are fully prepared to begin operations according to the government plan to ensure the swift and gradual return of normal life,

it said the statement,

Since this morning people here were waiting for the ceasefire to take effect, and start moving towards Rafah. We also saw a lot of people putting together their luggage … getting ready to start going back,

she said

The IDF remains ready in defense and offense and will not allow any harm to the citizens of Israel,

it said