Russian-Israeli Hostage to Be Freed in First Stage of Hamas-Israel Peace Deal

Itamar Ben-Gvirnational Security Minister

We will not return to the government table without a complete victory against Hamas and the full realization of the war's goals."

Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement published on social media on Sunday

Pursuant to the framework for the release of the hostages, the ceasefire of the first stage in Gaza will take effect at 11:15."

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the office of Prime Minister of Israel posted

They will take the time and attack again,

he said while overlooking smoldering ruins in Gaza from a hillock in southern Israel with others who had gathered there

I was on my way home with my family when we heard the sound of bombing,

said Mohammed Baraka, 36.

I'm really stressed because I don't know about the situation of Ofer, my cousin,

said Ifat Kaldron, whose cousin is among the hostages

I'm dying of despair,

said Maha Abed, a 27-year-old displaced from Rafah who had been waiting since dawn for her husband to pick her up and take her home

Enough playing with our emotions — we're exhausted,

she added

Last night, in a special operation by the Shin Bet (security agency) and the IDF (military) ... we brought back to Israel the body of Golani fighter Oron Shaul,

the military said in a statement

As part of the ... prisoner swap deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigade decided to release the following Israeli prisoners today,

the group said in a statement, giving the names of three women

The first thing I will do is go and check my house,

Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two who was displaced from Gaza City's Zaytoun neighborhood, told the Associated Press

Regarding reports when the ceasefire will begin in Gaza, we confirm that the names of the 3 hostages to be released today have been handed over to the Israeli side,

Majed al-Ansari said

Government ministries and institutions are fully prepared to begin operations according to the government plan to ensure the swift and gradual return of normal life,

it said the statement,

Since this morning people here were waiting for the ceasefire to take effect, and start moving towards Rafah. We also saw a lot of people putting together their luggage … getting ready to start going back,

she said

The IDF remains ready in defense and offense and will not allow any harm to the citizens of Israel,

it said

The IDF continues its operations inside the Gaza area at this moment, as long as Hamas does not adhere to the agreement and with all that it entails,

he said

The sound of shelling and explosions didn’t stop,

said Ahmed Matter, a Gaza City resident

A short while ago, IDF artillery and aircraft struck a number of terror targets in northern and central Gaza,

the military said

People are impatient. They want this madness to end,

he said

If we are forced to resume the war, we will do so with force."

Calling the 42-day first phase a "temporary ceasefire", he said

I will go to kiss my land,

said Nasr al-Gharabli, who fled his home in Gaza City for a camp farther south