WORLD / MID-EAST
Gaza ceasefire comes into effect
Published: Jan 20, 2025 09:33 AM
This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)


 
This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)


 
This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)


 
Destroyed buildings are pictured after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

Destroyed buildings are pictured after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect on Sunday, after more than 15 months of deadly strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the beginning of the ceasefire in a statement, after Hamas released the names of the first three female hostages set to be freed later in the day.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, was scheduled to go into effect at 0830 a.m. (0630 GMT). However, Netanyahu ordered the military to continue the assault, vowing not to cease fighting until Hamas provided the list of hostages.

In a statement, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the deal but said the delay of providing the list was due to technical reasons.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it conducted artillery and airstrikes in several locations across Gaza. Palestinian health authorities reported at least eight people were killed in the attacks.