World Food Programme sends trucks into Gaza
The first trucks with aid from the World Food Programme have started crossing into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings, carrying ready-to-eat parcels and wheat flour, the U.N. agency announced in a post on X.
The organization says it can provide more than 30,000 tons of food each month to reach more than 1 million people, and aims to deliver food daily along the crossing points into Gaza from Egypt, Jordan and Israel.
The WFP called for all border crossings to remain open and function efficiently.
Gazans return to a ruined Jabalia
Jabalia, in northern Gaza, is one of the enclave's historical refugee camps and had been under heavy Israeli bombardment in recent weeks.
Pope Francis welcomes news of Gaza ceasefire
After today's Angelus prayer, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to the mediators of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. He said he hopes the hostages can finally return home and embrace their loved ones, and called for large quantities of aid to quickly reach the Gazans “who so urgently need it.”
He expressed hope for further dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, saying “I hope that the political authorities of both, with the help of the international community, can reach the right solution for the two states. Everyone can say: yes to dialogue, yes to reconciliation, yes to peace. And let us pray for this: for dialogue, reconciliation and peace.”
Israel to release names of 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees set to be freed today
Israel is expected to hand over the names of 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees, including women and children, who are set to be released today as part of the ceasefire agreement, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said in a statement.
The 90 names will come from a pre-agreed list of 120 prisoners, with the ceasefire agreement stipulating that 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released for every one Israeli hostage. Three hostages are expected to be released today.
Large plumes of smoke were seen over northern and central Gaza after the expected start of the ceasefire was delayed for nearly three hours, but is now in effect.
Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gvir resigns over ceasefire deal
Itamar Ben-Gvir, the far-right Israeli national security minister, resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government today in protest of the ceasefire agreement and hostage exchange.
The resignation represents a significant blow to Netanyahu, who relied on Ben-Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit Party to maintain his fragile coalition government. Two other two ministers from the Otzma Yehudit Party, Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Amichai Eliyahu, also tendered their resignations along with Ben-Gvir.
“A word is a word, we will not agree to a reckless deal. My friends in Otzma Yehudit and I submitted our resignation letters from the government and the coalition this morning,” Ben-Gvir posted on X today.
The minister had threatened to resign earlier this week, arguing that Netanyahu should “take steps” that would lead to the defeat of Hamas and the release of our hostages “without abandoning Israel’s security,” including completely stopping the transfer of humanitarian aid and fuel, electricity, and water to Gaza, along with continuing the military crushing of Hamas.
On Sunday, Ben-Gvir also urged the finance minister Bezalel Smotrich to join him in resigning from the government. "Although you did not help me prevent the first stage of the surrender deal, at least help me prevent its second stage," he posted on X, adding that "we will return together only if the Prime Minister orders the IDF to return to a decisive war with force." Smotrich has so far not resigned from his post.
Who are the three Israeli hostages being released by Hamas?
Hamas has released the names of three hostages, all young women, who will be released today in the first part of the ceasefire agreement.
The Hostages Families Forum has released details on the three women, and said the organization “awaits their safe return to Israel to be reunited with their families after 471 days in Hamas captivity.”
Doron Steinbrecher, named by Hamas as Doron Shtanbar Khair, age 31, was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7. She works as a veterinary nurse, has two siblings, and loves sports and running. She is described as a devoted aunt who loves her nephews.
Romi Gonen, age 24, was taken from the Nova Music Festival on Oct. 7. She has four siblings, and friends and family say she is energetic, funny, family-oriented, and full of life, according to the Hostages Families Forum.
Emily Damari, age 28, is a British-Israeli citizen who was also taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Oct. 7., along with her friends Gali and Ziv Berman and Doron Steinbrecher. Her friends describe as a key figure in the kibbutz’s youth community and a lover of barbecuing, karaoke and hats.
Israeli medical center prepared to receive hostages
The Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, is prepared to receive the three hostages expected to be released from Gaza today, the facility said in a statement.
The medical center said it was "committed to preserving the dignity and privacy of the returning captives and their families."
Israeli military confirms halt to military operations in Gaza
The Israeli military confirmed to NBC News it has halted military operations in Gaza under the ceasefire deal.
Asked to confirm whether military operations in Gaza had halted and whether a ceasefire was underway in the enclave, the IDF's situation room said "yes."
Israel had said the ceasefire was expected to come into effect at 11:15 a.m. local time (4:15 a.m. ET) after an hourslong delay, but did not make an announcement at that time. Asked to confirm that a ceasefire was underway after 11:15 a.m., a spokesman for Netanyahu reiterated the expected start time.
At least 19 people killed in Gaza, officials say
At least 19 people were reported to have been killed and more than 36 injured in Gaza today after the ceasefire expected to go into effect this morning was delayed, Gaza’s Civil Defense agency said.
At least nine deaths were reported in Gaza City and three deaths reported in the enclave’s north, Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal said in a statement published to Telegram.
Since the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced Wednesday, fighting in Gaza and a series of deadly airstrikes have killed more than 115 people.