A freed Palestinian prisoner is welcomed from an Israeli prison as part of a hostage exchange and Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, January 20, 2025, in Ramallah, the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Moussa Kawasma/Reuters hide title
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect on Sunday morning after 15 months of war.
The long-awaited ceasefire sparked brief celebrations in Gaza, with the release of three Israeli women and the release of about 90 Palestinians. As Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza Sharafah into the Philadelphia Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border, many Palestinians have returned to find the homes they were forced to flee in ruins.
The three-phase deal aims to ensure a permanent end to the war, but important details of phases two and three remain unclear. Here are some visuals capturing scenes from Gaza and Israel:
In the early morning of January 1, Palestinian men waving the flags of Hamas and Hezbollah sat on a Red Cross bus carrying passengers from Ofer, the occupied West Bank, in Betuniya outside Ramallah. Prisoners released from a military prison were greeted by their families and friends in Betouniya, outside Ramallah. 20, 2025. John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images hide title
Freed Palestinian prisoners ride on a bus after being released from an Israeli prison as part of a hostage exchange and ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Gaza. Outside the bank of Ofer, an Israeli military prison near Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied west, January 20, 2025. Ammar Awad/Reuters hide title
On January 19, 2025, friends of Emily Damari held signs with her face and the words "Welcome home our Emily, our hero." Maya Levine (NPR) hide title
An Israeli military helicopter with Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari inside on January 19, 2025. Maya Levine (NPR) hide title
People celebrate as Israeli hostages arrive in Ramat Gan after being released from captivity by Hamas in the Gaza Strip on January 19, 2025. Ilya Yefimovich/Photo Alliance via Getty Images hide title
Supporters and relatives of hostages held in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militants react as they watch a live television broadcast of the release of Israeli hostages in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square on January 19. 2025. Menahem Kahana/AFP via Getty Images hide title
On January 19, 2025, the Qassam Brigades handed over three Israeli female hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza City, Gaza, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas. Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu Photo: Getty Images hide title
A Palestinian family holds flags to celebrate their return to Rafah, Gaza Strip, on January 19, 2025. Saeed Jaras/Middle East Photos via AFP/Getty Images hide title
On January 19, 2025, an aid truck entered the Palestinian territories from the Rafah border crossing. Anas Baba/NPR hide title
Family members and relatives of Palestinian prisoners stand on a hill above Ofer prison in western Ramallah, January 19, 2025, waiting for their release. John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images hide title
Palestinians carry an injured man through the streets of Rafah, Gaza Strip, on January 19, 2025. Saeed Jaras/Middle East Photos via AFP/Getty Images hide title
Smoke rose from an explosion in northern Gaza on January 19, 2025, before a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into effect. Maya Levine (NPR) hide title