Three female hostages freed by Hamas have been reunited with their mothers in Israel, marking an emotional moment in the ongoing conflict. Armed Hamas fighters escorted the hostages to a Red Cross vehicle in southern Gaza, amidst cheering crowds in Khan Younis. The release was part of a broader ceasefire agreement that temporarily halts the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The hostages—Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari—were reunited with their families at a location in Israel, near the sites of their abduction during the October 7, 2023 Hamas raid on a kibbutz and nearby music festival. Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv to watch the release live on a giant screen, erupting in cheers and tears as the hostages were seen boarding the Red Cross vehicle.

Meanwhile, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, buses were stationed in preparation for the release of 90 Palestinian detainees, including 69 women and 21 teenage boys, as part of the exchange agreement.

The ceasefire agreement faced a three-hour delay, during which Israeli forces launched air and artillery strikes on Gaza, reportedly killing 13 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel attributed the delay to Hamas failing to provide the list of hostages in time, while Hamas cited a technical issue.

U.S. President Joe Biden, on his last full day in office, welcomed the ceasefire, expressing hope for stability in the region. “The road to this deal was not easy, but today’s truce is a step forward thanks to the pressure Israel, backed by the United States, exerted on Hamas,” Biden stated.

The truce outlines a six-week initial phase, during which fighting will cease, humanitarian aid will be sent into Gaza, and 33 of the remaining 98 hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer commended the release of the three hostages, including British citizen Emily Damari. In a statement, he described the development as “long-overdue news after months of agony for them and their families.” Starmer emphasized the need to implement the remaining phases of the ceasefire and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

UN Women also welcomed the ceasefire, emphasizing its significance for the one million women and children in Gaza who have endured continuous bombardment. The organization expressed hope that this agreement could pave the way for a lasting peace for women and girls in both Palestine and Israel.

As the ceasefire took effect, residents of Gaza ventured out to survey the destruction left by months of intense fighting. In northern Gaza, people navigated narrow roads through a landscape reduced to rubble.

Hamas policemen swiftly deployed in some areas, while supporters chanted slogans praising the group’s armed wing, Al-Qassam Brigades. For Hamas, the truce represents an opportunity to reassert its presence after more than a year in hiding.

The humanitarian and political implications of the truce remain uncertain, but for now, it provides a moment of relief and hope for families on both sides of the conflict.