Synopsis
On January 19, Hamas transferred three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross following a ceasefire in Gaza. This release is part of a broader agreement that aims to facilitate the release of more hostages while allowing humanitarian aid to flow into the region.Key Takeaways
- Hamas released three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross.
- A ceasefire agreement was initiated on January 19.
- Humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza for the first time.
- International mediators are monitoring the ceasefire.
- 600 trucks of aid are expected to enter Gaza daily.
Gaza, Jan 19 (NationPress) Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross on Sunday, as reported by Israeli state media. This event occurred shortly after a ceasefire in Gaza came into effect, marking the initial release of numerous hostages anticipated under the agreement.
In preparation for later releases, Israeli officials also began moving Palestinian detainees to Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
According to state-run Kan TV news, the operation followed the Red Cross traveling to a designated meeting point with Hamas forces, where the three Israeli hostages were to be handed over to the international organization before their return to Israel, as reported by Xinhua.
On the same day, the first humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza from Egypt as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire commenced, confirmed Palestinian sources.
The initial aid arrived at the coastal enclave via the Kerem Shalom border crossing in southern Gaza.
Earlier, Nile TV, an Egyptian state-run channel, broadcasted footage showing numerous aid trucks crossing the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing for inspections by Israeli authorities prior to entering Gaza.
Delegations from Qatar, the United States, and representatives from Palestine and Israel arrived in Cairo on Sunday to oversee the ceasefire agreement's implementation, according to TV reports.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, approximately 600 trucks laden with humanitarian supplies, which include 50 fuel trucks, are scheduled to enter Gaza daily to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
The 42-day initial phase of the ceasefire agreement was reached on Wednesday through mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, and began to take effect on Sunday following Hamas's submission of the list of three Israeli female captives to be released.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the ceasefire agreement is now in effect.
The day prior, Al-Ansari announced that the Gaza ceasefire would begin on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) in Gaza.
Israel and Hamas struck a deal on a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages arrangement on Wednesday after extensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.
Additionally, Egypt resumed sending humanitarian aid trucks into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing as the recently negotiated Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement commenced, according to Egyptian state TV.
Egypt's Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar and Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy arrived at Arish Airport early Saturday to evaluate hospitals' preparedness to receive injured Gazans and oversee the final aid delivery to the Gaza Strip, reported the Egyptian state news agency.
