8th February 2025
Make a Donation

Ceasefire begins in Gaza as Hamas names first Israeli hostages to be freed

Author: BBC | Published: January 19, 2025

Separations for the arrival of the hostages are underway|Courtesy.

The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza has come into force after a delay of nearly three hours, and thousands of Gazans are beginning to return home.

The first three Israeli female hostages are expected to be freed later – Hamas has named them as 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher, dual British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, and 24-year-old Romi Gonen

The ceasefire was delayed last-minute after Hamas failed to give Israel the names of the three hostages in time – Hamas blamed “technical field reasons”.

Up until the ceasefire began, Israel continued to carry out strikes on Gaza, killing 19 people today, according to the Hamas-run civil defence agency

Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 back to Gaza as hostages.

The attack triggered a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza, during which more than 46,800 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Support Eye Radio, the first independent radio broadcaster of news, information & entertainment in South Sudan.

Make a monthly or a one off contribution.