90 Palestinian prisoners released from Israel

The ceasefire will see Gaza hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel freed.

ByDavid Brennan, Nadine El-Bawab, Kevin Shalvey, and Bill Hutchinson
Last Updated: January 20, 2025, 4:46 AM EST

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will be freed in the first phase of the deal.

Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 19, 2025, 9:16 AM EST

UK welcomes planned release of British national from Gaza

A spokesperson for the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the government welcomed Sunday's announcement that joint British-Israeli national Emily Damari will be among three hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Emily Damari is seen in an undated photo supplied by her family.
Handout

"We stand ready to support her upon her release," the spokesperson told ABC News. "We urge both sides to implement all phases of the deal in full and for all hostages to be returned," they added.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Jan 19, 2025, 7:53 AM EST

Trump says 'wonderful young women' hostages to be freed

"Hostages starting to come out today," President-elect Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social early Sunday, referring to the opening phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.

"Three wonderful young women will be first," Trump added.

President-elect Donald Trump watches fireworks at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, on Jan. 18, 2025.
Matt Rourke/AP

Trump claimed credit for what he called an "epic" agreement when the deal was announced last week, although President Joe Biden appeared to brush off the role Trump played.

The incoming president said his administration "will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to make sure Gaza never again becomes a terrorist safe haven."

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jan 19, 2025, 7:21 AM EST

Aid trucks move toward Gaza from Egypt

Egyptian officials told ABC News that 197 aid trucks and five fuel tankers passed through an area along the border with southern Gaza for inspection so far on Sunday.

An aid truck crosses a checkpoint in Egypt's northern Sinai peninsula near the city of Bir al-Abd on Jan. 19, 2025.
Khaled Desouki/AFP via Getty Images

If permitted, the trucks will later continue into Gaza. The trucks passed through the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana crossings, which have been key routes for aid during the war.

A key provision of the ceasefire that came into effect on Sunday is a massive expansion of aid allowed into Gaza to help address the humanitarian crisis there.

-ABC News' Marcus Moore

Jan 19, 2025, 6:29 AM EST

14 killed by Israeli strikes in Gaza

The Gaza Ministry of Health said Sunday that at least 14 people were killed and 25 injured over the past 24 hours, as Palestinians awaited and then celebrated the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on Jan. 19, 2025.
Tsafrir Abayov/AP

As of Sunday, at least 46,913 people have been killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, the ministry said.

Health officials have warned that the number is likely to rise as authorities recover thousands of bodies buried under rubble or in other areas inaccessible by rescue workers all across the wrecked strip.

-ABC News' Samy Zyara and Victoria Beaule

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