The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has begun following a three-hour delay, after Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to free first.
According to 9 News, Israel had vowed to keep fighting until it received the names, as the long and uncertain process aimed at ending the war got off to a bumpy start on Sunday.
Celebrations erupted across the war-ravaged territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes despite the delay, which underscored the fragility of the agreement.
The truce, which started at 11.15am (8.15pm AEDT), is a first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered it.
Israeli media reported that Romi Gonen, 24, who was abducted from a music festival and appeared on the Hamas list, is set to be released, citing her brother’s social media.
Israel has not confirmed any of the three names provided by Hamas, and the other two families have not yet commented.