After various dramas, the long-awaited ceasefire agreement has finally come into effect in Gaza. The ceasefire process began at 11:15 am local time on Sunday with the announcement of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. According to the agreement, Hamas has released three Israeli hostages in the first phase. In addition, the organization has announced the release of four more female prisoners within the next week.

Even after the ceasefire came into effect, 19 people were reported killed and 36 injured in Israeli attacks in various areas of Gaza by 11:30 am on Sunday. Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman for the Gaza Civil Defense, said that one of the dead was in Rafah city, six in Khan Yunis, and the rest in the northern Gaza Strip.

As soon as the agreement came into effect, trucks carrying aid began entering Gaza. The World Food Programme (WFP) is delivering aid through the Karem Abu Salem border crossing in the south and the Zikim border crossing in the north.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons has begun under the agreement. The first phase will see the release of 95 prisoners from the notorious Ofer prison.

Mariam Weiss, a resident of the Jenin refugee camp, whose three sons are in Israeli prisons, is hopeful after the agreement came into effect. “Words cannot express my feelings after hearing that my son will be released. I am surprised and happy at the same time,” she said.