A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas saw its first major steps on Sunday, with the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners and the first Israeli hostages from Gaza after 15 months of conflict.
The ceasefire, while raising hopes for a resolution, also left mixed emotions, with difficult decisions ahead in the coming weeks.
The first three Israeli hostages—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were freed in a tense handover to the Red Cross on a Gaza City street.
The women were later reunited with their families in Israel, where they were greeted with tears and applause. Damari, who had lost two fingers during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, raised her bandaged hand in triumph.
Shortly after, Israel released the first batch of Palestinian prisoners, many of whom had been detained on charges ranging from stone-throwing to attempted murder.
The prisoners were welcomed by crowds in the West Bank, who celebrated the release with chants, fireworks, and flag-waving, including flags of Hamas.
One of the most prominent detainees released was Khalida Jarrar, a member of a left-wing faction involved in past attacks against Israel. Her indefinite detention had drawn criticism from human rights groups.
This is just the second ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, longer and more consequential than a brief November 2023 pause.
The first phase of the ceasefire will last for 42 days, with additional hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to be released over this period. However, major uncertainties remain about the long-term prospects for peace.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from both the Biden administration and former President Donald Trump to secure a deal, voiced cautious support for the ceasefire.
However, he made it clear that Israel would resume fighting if necessary, with backing from the U.S. if Hamas undermines the agreement.
While many in Israel greeted the deal with relief, some expressed concern that the ceasefire only postpones the next confrontation with Hamas, especially given that aid is now flowing into Gaza, which could help the militant group regroup.
In Gaza, the ceasefire brought mixed emotions—relief for some, but pain for others who had lost loved ones in the brutal conflict.
Many families, displaced by the war, began returning to find their homes in ruins.
The destruction of infrastructure, including water, electricity, and road networks, has left Gaza in a dire humanitarian crisis.
The war has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, with women and children accounting for a significant portion of the casualties. Meanwhile, over 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Hamas-led attack that triggered the war, and approximately 250 hostages were taken.
While a surge of humanitarian aid is now entering Gaza, the future remains uncertain, with political and rebuilding challenges looming. If the ceasefire holds, rebuilding Gaza could take years.