Gaza ceasefire LIVE updates as Israel continues attacks in row over Hamas hostages
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A ceasefire has finally begun in Gaza - and the first three Israeli hostages, including a British woman, have been freed from captivity and reunited with their families. A Red Cross convoy was handed three hostages including British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28 - along with Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher at just after 3.20pm UK time (5.20pm local time). "The Red Cross has communicated that the three Israeli hostages were transferred to them and are on their way toward IDF and Israel Securities Authority forces in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli military said in a statement.
The hostages have now been reunited with their families. A heartwarming image shows Ms Damari smiling with her mother as she spoke to her brother on a video call after the pair emotionally reunited on Israeli soil. In return for the safe delivery of the three Israeli women, Hamas says Israel has agreed to hand over 90 Palestinian prisoners from the Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank, which include 69 women and 21 teenage boys, the Hamas Prisoners Media Office said. Of those, 76 will be released from the West Bank and 14 from Jerusalem, it said.
Meanwhile, the UN food agency said the first of its aid trucks entered into Gaza via two crossings today. They crossed into the strip via Zikim in the north and Kerem Shalom in the south. Meanwhile, other aid trucks have been seen entering via the Rafah crossing.
