Updated 23:25 IST, January 19th 2025
Former Hostages are Back in Israel After 471 Days in Hamas Captivity
The ceasefire marks a temporary pause in the 15-month-long conflict and paves the way for the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza and Israel.

New Delhi: The much-awaited Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal finally came into effect after a three-hour delay caused by Hamas citing "technical field reasons" for not providing the list of hostages as demanded by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu under the ceasefire agreement.
On Sunday, at around 11:15 am local time (2:45 pm IST), Netanyahu’s office confirmed the start of the ceasefire, halting the prolonged conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group. Earlier, Netanyahu has made it clear that the ceasefire will proceed only if the names of hostages to be released are provided, as agreed.
The ceasefire marks a temporary pause in the 15-month-long conflict and paves the way for the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israel’s Cabinet had approved the deal early on Saturday.
Brokered by mediators from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt after months of indirect negotiations, this truce is the second to be achieved in the devastating conflict.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has so far claimed over 1,200 Israeli lives and resulted in nearly 100 hostages still held captive in Gaza.
The truce was originally scheduled to begin on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) and 12 p.m. IST, as announced by mediator Qatar. The ceasefire was seen as a step toward de-escalation after months of intense conflict.
In a televised address hours before the ceasefire, Prime Minister Netanyahu termed the truce as a temporary measure, underlining Israel’s right to resume military operations if deemed necessary. He claimed support from President-elect Donald Trump , who, during an interview with NBC News, said he had encouraged Netanyahu to “keep doing what you have to do.”
Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Updates:
- ‘fills our hearts with hope’, says EU chief
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called for the release of more hostages, highlighting the freedom of three Israeli women from Hamas captivity as a potential turning point. "Romi Gonen, Emily Damari & Doron Steinbrecher are free. Others must follow," she wrote on the X social media platform.
"Seeing the hostages’ reunion with their families fills our hearts with hope. Let it be the start of a new chapter for Israel and the Palestinian people. The ceasefire must hold. Europe will support it," von der Leyen added.
- Former hostages to be treated at Safra children's hospital
The three returning hostages will remain at the Safra Children’s Hospital at the Sheba Medical Center for the coming days, possibly weeks.
The hospital has arranged for special medical staff to check the hostages and provide support personnel to assist them during their stay.
In addition to medical care, the hospital will provide the hostages with fresh clothes, toiletries, beauty care, and specially prepared meals.
The children’s hospital was chosen for its quiet accommodation and privacy, ensuring a peaceful environment for their recovery.
- We’ll stick to the ceasefire deal if Israel does, says Hamas spokesperson
In a video address, Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida praised the Palestinian people's sacrifice, referring to the loss of countless martyrs over the past 15 months. He emphasized that the group’s efforts would now be focused on "containing" the Israeli enemy.
Ubaida also called on mediators to pressure Israel into fully committing to the ceasefire deal, stating, "The agreement reached could have been made a year ago if it had aligned with [Prime Minister] Netanyahu’s ambitions."
"We are committed to the ceasefire agreement, but this depends on the enemy’s adherence," Ubaida added, highlighting the importance of Israel's commitment to the deal.
- IDF releases footage of former hostages crossing border
- President of Israel welcomes return of hostages
President Isaac Herzog says that the entire nation is “rejoicing at your return” after Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher cross into Israel after 471 days in captivity.
“We send you and your families a huge embrace. This is a day of joy and comfort, and the beginning of a challenging journey of recovery and healing together,” says Herzog, sending his thoughts to the “anxious and grieving families whose loved ones have not yet returned.”
- Israeli Government ‘embraces the three women who have returned.’
The Prime Minister’s Office confirms that Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, are in the hands of Israeli forces.
“The government of Israel embraces the three returnees,” the PMO says in a statement, adding that their families have been told that they are in Israeli hands. “The government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing.”
- Biden says 'the guns in Gaza have gone silent' under a ceasefire deal
- Former hostages are back in Israel
Hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher have crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel after spending 471 days in Hamas captivity.
IDF special forces are escorting them to a nearby facility for an initial checkup.
- 3 hostages handed over to IDF troops
Three hostages are currently in the custody of IDF troops in the Gaza Strip.
They will be taken to a facility near the border for an initial checkup.
The IDF confirmed that the hostages are being escorted by an elite unit after being handed over to them by the Red Cross.
- Pictures shows three female hostages exiting a vehicle surrounded by armed Hamas men
Footage showed three female hostages being escorted by armed Hamas men as they exited a vehicle. The hostages then entered vehicles from the International Committee of the Red Cross while a crowd of fighters chanted the name of Hamas' armed wing.
“The three women hostages were officially handed over to the Red Cross at Al-Saraya Square in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in western Gaza City,” a Hamas official told AFP. “This occurred after a member of the Red Cross team met with them and ensured their well-being.”
- First three women hostages released by Hamas
The first three hostages, Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, have reportedly been handed over to the Red Cross, with The Times of Israel noting they were seen walking unaided.
- Red Cross has not yet received Israeli hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher from Hamas, Israeli sources were quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.
- Israeli captives handed over to the Red Cross: Reports
- Red Cross convoy on its way to pick up first Israeli hostages in Gaza
A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up the first Israeli hostages in Gaza. It is not clear how long the process will take before the hostages will be handed over. Three women are set to be the first released in the ceasefire that began earlier Sunday, according to a report in the news agency AP.
- Trump welcomes expected release of hostages
“Hostages starting to come out today! Three wonderful young women will be first,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
- UK Welcomes Expected Release of Its National
“The UK government welcomes the reports that British national Emily Damari is on the list of hostages to be released by Hamas today,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement.
- Mediators Confident Prisoner exchange will be successful: Qatar
Qatar Foreign Ministry expressed confidence that the captive-and-prisoner exchange later today will be “successful”. “Communication and movement in Gaza is not easy and therefore it takes sometimes more time than expected, but thankfully we were able to resolve it and now we have the ceasefire in place and aid starting to go into Gaza,” said foreign ministry spokesperson.
- UN aid ready to move into Gaza, says agency chief
“We are on crossings ready to get aid convoys moving into Gaza at scale and pace. Lifesaving food and medicine for survivors. No time to lose. Huge thanks to our teams from across the UN who have prepared tirelessly for this moment, ready to deliver with courage and creativity,” UN’s relief chief Tom Fletcher posted on X.
- Reuven Azar, Israeli Ambassador to India thanked Indians for support for Insrael after the ceasefire begins in Israel and Gaza. He said, "The ceasefire Israel signed off to is the first phase of a gradual deal which has the potential of bringing back our hostages and also making sure Hamas won't be ever able to massacre Israelis like it did on October 7th. Peace won't prevail if Hamas is allowed to rearm and regroup. The Middle East has changed. The Iranian radical regime still constitutes the biggest threat to our region, but it has lost Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza. With enough international pressure, we can make sure it stops its quest for nuclear weapons. I'd like to thank the Indian government for supporting our right to self-defence, and we especially appreciate the overwhelming support of the Indian people."
- Israel has received the list of the Hostages who are Due to be released today. According to the framework, the security establishment is now checking details, says Prime Minister of Israel.
- An Israeli airstrike killed at least eight people in the Gaza Strip after the ceasefire was delayed. Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis confirmed the casualties from Sunday's strike, which it said had occurred around two hours after the truce was supposed to take effect.
- Hamas has named the three hostages it plans to release on Sunday more than two hours after the ceasefire in Gaza was supposed to have begun.
- Israel said Hamas delayed the start of the truce by not naming the hostages it was supposed to release later on Sunday. Hamas publicised the names around two hours after the ceasefire was to begin
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners.
- Netanyahu insisted the ceasefire was the best deal under the circumstances, sparking political dissent within his government.
- Public Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of the far-right faction, opposed the truce and threatened to resign, along with other members of his party.
- Families and thousands of others rallied once more Saturday night in Tel Aviv.
- The first phase of the ceasefire will last 42 days, and negotiations on the far more difficult second phase are meant to begin just over two weeks in.
(With Inputs from AP)
Published 11:15 IST, January 19th 2025