Here’s the latest on the cease-fire.

 

Updated

Jan. 19, 2025, 4:48 a.m. ET44 minutes ago

Isabel KershnerHiba Yazbek and Aaron BoxermanReporting from Jerusalem

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/19/world/israel-hamas-gaza-ceasefire

 

Here’s the latest on the cease-fire.

A long-awaited agreement between Israel and Hamas for a cease-fire and hostage release went into effect on Sunday morning, a step that is widely seen as the best chance to end the devastating 15-month war in the Gaza Strip.

 

After a delay of just over two hours, Israel received the names of three hostages expected to be released later on Sunday, according to two Israeli officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue. Israel had said the cease-fire would not come into effect until it had received the list.

 

Israeli officials have not announced the names of the hostages set to be released, pending permission from their families. Hamas had earlier announced the names of the hostages on social media.

 

Under the terms of the deal, Israel and Hamas have agreed to observe a 42-day truce, during which Hamas is expected to stagger the release of 33 of the roughly 100 hostages it still holds. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be freed.

 

The agreement also calls for 600 trucks to be allowed to bring aid to Gazans daily. Israel’s bombing campaign has killed more than 46,000 people in the enclave since the war began, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Much of Gaza has been destroyed, and most of the roughly two million people in the enclave have been displaced at least once by the war.

 

The Israeli military continued its attacks in the Strip before the deal came into effect on Sunday morning.

 

The delay in the implementation of the cease-fire was typical of the agonizing process that has led to this moment, as both sides, and the mediating countries that have helped to broker the deal, edged toward sealing the agreement.

 

Here’s what else to know:

 

• Hostage releases: The first phase of the cease-fire calls for the staggered release of 33 Israeli and foreign hostages, including women, children, men over 50, and sick and wounded people. Three of the hostages were expected to be released on Sunday. Here’s a guide.
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• Israeli preparations: Israeli health officials have been organizing isolated areas at hospitals where freed hostages can begin recuperating in privacy.
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• Palestinian prisoners: Israel is expected to begin releasing more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners on Sunday. Israelis say that many of these prisoners are terrorists and murderers. Many Palestinians see them as freedom fighters against Israeli rule.
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• Next phase: Big diplomatic hurdles lie ahead. Israel and Hamas reached the cease-fire agreement in part by putting off their most intractable disputes until a nebulous “second phase” that neither side is sure they will reach.