Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, the first three hostages released from Gaza, have arrived in Israel. In Tel Aviv, thousands of people gathered to watch the news on large screens. Even before the ceasefire took effect, celebrations began across the territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes. Ninety Palestinian prisoners were also expected to be released on Sunday.
Palestinians injured in the conflict celebrate the start of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in Qatar on Jan. 19, 2025. The initial stage of a truce between Israel and Hamas prompted celebrations in Gaza and hope for an end to the 15-month war. Three women were the first Israeli hostages to be released. In exchange, Israel has agreed to release dozens of Palestinian prisoners. (Samar Abu Elouf/The New York Times)
Israelis celebrate the release of three hostages who had been held captive by Hamas in Gaza as they gather in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Palestinians inspect the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive on Jan. 19, 2025, in Rafah, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect. (Mohammad Hajjar/AP)
Emily Damari, one of the hostages released today from captivity in Gaza following the ceasefire agreement started between Israel and Hamas, arrives at Sheba Hospital in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
A poster with photos of hostages Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari is seen on Jan. 19, 2025, in the neighborhood in southern Israel where they were kidnapped during the deadly Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Steinbrecher and Damari were among three hostages released Sunday. (Amir Levy/Getty)
Palestinians let out a “zaghrouta” or joyous yell to celebrate a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel at the Burj al-Barajneh Palestinian refugee camp, south of Beirut, Lebanon, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Hassan Ammar/AP)
A family gathers around a mobile phone to watch footage of the released hostages ahead of their arrival at Sheba Medical Center, also known as Tel HaShomer Hospital, in Ramat Gan, Israel, where hostages were arriving after the first phase of a ceasefire agreement began between Israel and Hamas took effect on Jan. 19, 2025. (Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty)
Palestinians gather at a spot overlooking Ofer prison in Beitunia, West Bank, ahead of the release of prisoners following the start of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025. (Laura Boushnak/The New York Times)
Women gathered in what’s known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, cry and embrace as they react to news that the first Israeli hostages have been released after a ceasefire agreement began between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025. (Chris McGrath/Getty)
Fighters from the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, control the crowd as Red Cross vehicles maneuver in Gaza City to collect Israeli hostages to be released under a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025. (Abed Hajjar/AP)
Israelis look at the ruins of Beit Hanoun from a hill in Sderot, Israel, on Jan.19, 2025. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
Palestinians gather in Ramallah, West Bank, to await the release of prisoners following the ceasefire agreement started between Israel and Hamas on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. The initial stage of a truce between Israel and Hamas prompted celebrations in Gaza and hope for an end to the 15-month war. (Afif Amireh/The New York Times)
Relatives and friends of people killed and abducted by Hamas and taken into Gaza react to the news of the hostages’ release, as they gather in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)
A drone photo shows Palestinians walking through the destruction left by the Israeli air and ground offensive near Al Najjar hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)
A display of yellow chairs representing hostages held in the Gaza Strip, and a banner reading “Now!” in Hebrew, are seen in Tel Aviv, Israel, on the first day of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as three hostages were set to be released from captivity on Jan. 19, 2025. (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)
People gathering near a hospital in Ramat Gan, Israel, react after the first hostages were released at the start of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
Palestinians inspect the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19, 2025. (Abed Hajjar/AP)
People gathering at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, react to the news that the first hostages have been released after a ceasefire agreement began between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
Palestinians inspect the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Jabaliya, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19, 2025. (Abed Hajjar/AP)
,Israeli police stand near a dust cloud kicked up by a departing helicopter after the first phase of a ceasefire agreement began between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 19, 2025 near the Gaza border near Re’im in southern Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty)
Palestinian medics inspect the damage at Al Najjar hospital, which was destroyed by Israeli airstrikes, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, as a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect on Jan. 19, 2025. (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)