Gaza ceasefire begins after delay as Hamas names first Israeli hostages to be freed | BBC News

The long-awaited ceasefire in the war in Gaza has come into force, after a three-hour delay. Hamas has named the first three Israeli hostages it plans to free first later today - 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher and dual British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, who were kidnapped from their kibbutz, as well as 24-year-old Romi Gonen, who was taken from the Supernova Festival. The ceasefire was due to start at 08:30 (06:30 GMT) on Sunday but was delayed last-minute after Hamas failed to give Israel a list of the three hostages in time - Hamas says it was due to "technical field reasons." Up until the ceasefire came into force, Israel continued to carry out strikes on Gaza, with 13 people reported by the Hamas-run civil defence agency to have been killed since the truce was meant to start.

Hamas Teases IDF With Victory Parade As Israeli Troops Withdraw From Gaza: 'Forced You To...'

Armed Hamas operatives held a large victory parade in southern Gaza's Rafah city, showcasing their military presence despite the Israeli military's 15-month-long operations. Videos from the scene show Hamas fighters with weapons on the streets of the Palestinian enclave. Many Gaza residents joined in the celebration, cheering and climbing onto the vehicles of Hamas operatives to mark the ceasefire agreement with Israel. Hamas leaders called the truce a 'defeat for Israeli Defence Forces.' Celebrations took place as the Israeli army was withdrawing its troops and tanks from key positions.