Ceasefire in Gaza Starts at 12:15 p.m. as Israel and Hamas Agree on Hostage Release

Jan 19, 2025, 09:17 AM

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip officially began at 12:15 p.m. local time on January 19, 2025, following an agreement between Israel and Hamas. The ceasefire was delayed until Hamas provided the names of three Israeli hostages, Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28), and Doron Steinbrecher (31), to be released on the first day of the truce. The hostages are set to be freed later on the same day. The agreement includes a six-week ceasefire during which 33 Israeli hostages will be exchanged for over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. Celebrations were reported in Gaza as the ceasefire took effect, despite earlier Israeli airstrikes that continued until the last moments before the truce.