Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, released two Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip with the mediation of Qatar and Egypt. The hostages, Nurit Yitzhak and Yocheved Lifshitz, were released for humanitarian and medical reasons, after Israel initially declined their release request. This comes in the midst of ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestine, and Hamas had previously released other hostages, including an Israeli mother and her children, and a U.S. citizen mother and daughter.
Gazans Celebrate Ceasefire Between Israel and Hamas
Palestinians celebrated the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas after indirect talks in Egypt, marking the first step of a broader peace plan involving hostage exchanges and Israeli troop withdrawals. Crowds, including children displaced by Israeli attacks, gathered around Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital to celebrate the end of the fighting. Residents in Maghazi Refugee Camp expressed hopes for rebuilding Gaza and establishing a Palestinian state. “Thank God, the war is over. Our homes were destroyed, and our children killed. We thank everyone who helped end this war,” said Yasser Abu Hein. Others shared optimism that Gaza would “return better than before.”
Israel confirmed that the ceasefire would begin following a cabinet vote later in the day.
Muhammed Rabah
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