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, 11:38 AM EST

3 freed hostages are now in Israel

The three female hostages who were freed on Sunday are now in Israel, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a joint statement.

Jan 19, 2025, 11:22 AM EST

Biden says hostage-ceasefire deal 'has finally come to fruition'

President Joe Biden on Sunday said the long, arduous negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release deal have "finally come to fruition."

"The ceasefire has gone in effect in Gaza," Biden said in an address from the White House. "And today, we're seeing hostages being released."

Palestinian Hamas militants hand over hostages kidnapped during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza City, Jan. 19, 2025.
Reuters TV Via Reuters

Biden said three Israeli women "held against their will in dark tunnels for 470 days" have been released and initially appear to be in good condition. He said four more women will be released in seven days.

"Three additional hostages every seven days thereafter, including at least two American citizens, in this first phase," Biden said. "We pray for them and their families, for there's going to be a long recovery ahead."

Biden said that by the 16th day of the deal, talks will begin about the second phase of the deal.

"This phase includes the release of Israeli soldiers and a permanent end of the war," Biden said. "Without them, without Hamas in power or able to threaten Israel, hundreds of trucks are entering Gaza as I speak. They're carrying assistance for civilians who suffered enormously from the war that Hamas started on October 7th, 2023, nearly 15 months ago. "

Biden said several hundred trucks will enter the Gaza Strip on Sunday.

"After so much pain, destruction, loss of life, today, the guns in Gaza have gone silent," Biden said.

Jan 19, 2025, 10:44 AM EST

Israel receives 3 freed hostages

Israel has received the first three hostages released from captivity in Gaza as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that came into effect on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency confirmed in a joint statement.

Israeli hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Tehila Damari and Doron Steinbrecher in undated handout pictures obtained Jan. 19, 2025 from The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
Hostages Families Forum Headquarters/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Romi Gonen, 24; Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were met by the Red Cross inside Gaza and brought to an IDF reception area.

"The three released hostages are being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," the statement said.

Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova festival during Hamas' attack on the event, while Damari and Steinbrecher were both captured by militants attacking the Kfar Aza kibbutz close to the Gaza fence, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 19, 2025, 10:34 AM EST

Hostages in good condition, official says

An Israeli official told ABC News that the Red Cross said its initial examination of the three released hostages indicated that all are in good condition.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

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