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, 10:44 AM EST

Israel receives 3 freed hostages

Israel has received the first three hostages released from captivity in Gaza as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal that came into effect on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces and Israeli Security Agency confirmed in a joint statement.

Israeli hostages Romi Gonen, Emily Tehila Damari and Doron Steinbrecher in undated handout pictures obtained Jan. 19, 2025 from The Hostages Families Forum Headquarters.
Hostages Families Forum Headquarters/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Romi Gonen, 24; Emily Damari, 28; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, were met by the Red Cross inside Gaza and brought to an IDF reception area.

"The three released hostages are being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment," the statement said.

Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova festival during Hamas' attack on the event, while Damari and Steinbrecher were both captured by militants attacking the Kfar Aza kibbutz close to the Gaza fence, The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 19, 2025, 10:34 AM EST

Hostages in good condition, official says

An Israeli official told ABC News that the Red Cross said its initial examination of the three released hostages indicated that all are in good condition.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Jan 19, 2025, 10:23 AM EST

ICRC has the 3 hostages released, IDF confirms

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed to the Israel Defense Forces that the three Israeli hostages have been transferred to the ICRC and are "on their way" to Israeli forces in Gaza, the IDF said in a statement.

Jan 19, 2025, 9:44 AM EST

Biden being 'regularly updated' on hostage release, official says

President Joe Biden has been "regularly updated" through Sunday morning with the latest on the ongoing hostage release in Gaza, a senior administration official told ABC News.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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