90 Palestinian prisoners released from Israel

The ceasefire will see Gaza hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel freed.

Last Updated: January 20, 2025, 4:46 AM EST

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will be freed in the first phase of the deal.

Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

Jan 19, 2025, 3:38 AM EST

Hamas announces names of first 3 hostages to be released

Hamas military spokesperson Abu Ubaida announced the names of the first three hostages to be released under Sunday's ceasefire agreement.

Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, would be released, Ubaida said.

PHOTO: Three Hamas hostages, from left, Romi Gonen, Emily Damarı and Doreen Steinbrecher, are seen in undated handout photos in a composite created by ABC News on Jan. 19, 2025.
Three Hamas hostages, from left, Romi Gonen, Emily Damarı and Doreen Steinbrecher, are seen in undated handout photos from Damari's family and the Hostages Families Forum in a composite created by ABC News on Jan. 19, 2025.
Handout

Gonen was abducted from the Nova music festival, while Damari and Steinbrecher were both taken from the Kfar Aza kibbutz close to the Gaza frontier.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Victoria Beaule

Jan 19, 2025, 3:18 AM EST

8 killed in Gaza airstrikes amid ceasefire delay

As Palestinians on the ground in Gaza celebrated what was supposed to be the beginning of a ceasefire, deadly Israeli airstrikes continued with Israeli leaders saying there would be no pause in fighting until Hamas hands over the list of hostages slated for release on Sunday.

Smoke rises from an explosion in northern Gaza amid a delay in the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as seen from southern Israel, on Jan. 19, 2025.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday morning it was "currently striking terror targets" in Gaza.

The Gaza Civil Defence said eight people were killed in airstrikes in the hour after the intended start time of the ceasefire -- 8:30 a.m. local time and 1:30 a.m. ET -- and more than 25 people were injured.

Massive crowds of Gazans could be seen on the move despite the ongoing strikes, heading back to their homes in areas previously declared off limits by the IDF.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara, Jordana Miller and Victoria Beaule

Jan 19, 2025, 2:11 AM EST

Israeli strikes continue ahead of ceasefire’s start

The Israeli military continued to strike early Sunday in the Gaza Strip, attacks that it said would continue until Hamas abided by the ceasefire agreement.

An Israeli tank patrols on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas goes into effect, in Israel, Jan. 19, 2025.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Hamas hadn’t fulfilled its obligation to supply a list of hostages to be returned on Sunday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said during a press conference.

-ABC News’ Jordana Miller and Victoria Beaule

Jan 19, 2025, 1:51 AM EST

Ceasefire yet to begin, as Israel awaits hostage list

Israel said the ceasefire will not begin until Hamas supplies a list of the hostages held by Hamas who are slated to be returned to Israel on Sunday.

The ceasefire had been scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. local time.

Smoke rises over northern Gaza, before a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas goes into effect, as seen from Israel, Jan. 19, 2025.
Amir Cohen/Reuters

Hamas blamed a technical issue for the list’s delay.

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

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