Gaza Strip | A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began after a three-hour delay as Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to free later on Sunday. Israel had vowed to keep fighting until it received the names, as the long and uncertain process aimed at ending the war got off to a bumpy start.

Celebrations erupted across the war-ravaged territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes despite the delay, which underscored the fragility of the agreement. The truce, which started at 11.15am local time, is a first step toward ultimately ending the conflict and returning nearly 100 hostages abducted in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered it.

AP