People in the occupied West Bank are celebrating the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons as a result of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

As Israeli forces ended their 15-month bombardment of the besieged territory, Palestinians in Gaza were rebuilding their destroyed homes and awaiting the delivery of desperately needed food and medical aid.

It was the first truck of what has been pledged to be 600 trucks that will enter Gaza every day in the first phase of the ceasefire.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has resulted in the death of at least 46,913 Palestinians and left over 110,750 wounded. On that day itself, Hamas attacks left at least 1,139 people dead and over 200 captive in Israel.

A UN agency chief for Palestinian refugees said on Sunday the sounds of children playing could now be heard in Gaza instead of bombs after more than 470 days of fighting. Describing it as a good first day, Philippe Lazzarini said help and commercial supplies went smoothly on Sunday.

In a social media post, Lazzarini said, “The cessation of hostilities must continue, and the key components of the agreement must be fully implemented.” He called it “a step in the right direction towards long-lasting peace and stability for all.”

The ceasefire that commenced on Sunday morning raised hopes for the end of the devastating conflict and the return of nearly 100 remaining hostage-taking individuals from the Hamas attack of 7th October 2023. Nevertheless, serious concerns remain about whether fighting will resume after a six-week respite.

Hamas released hostages to Israel. Walking back from a tense handover to the Red Cross on a Gaza street, they were filmed encircled by thousands of spectators and mysteriously guarded by armed men wearing green Hamas headbands.

The women were then swept up by Israeli forces and taken into Israel, where the girls ran into the arms of their relatives. Damari raised her bandaged hand in a gesture of victory. However, the army stated that she lost two fingers in the attack on October 7.

In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered to watch the news of 90 Palestinian and Israeli prisoners on large screens and applauded as months of protests in the square for a ceasefire deal ended.

The first 90 Palestinian prisoners were released more than seven hours later. They had been detained on charges that fit the nebulous definition of threats to Israeli security. It included everything from stone-throwing to much more serious offenses like attempted murder. Well, the 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israel’s prison, and this brings hope toward peace in the country.

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