Hamas has released three Israeli hostages while Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on the first day of the ceasefire that halted the 15-month-old war in Gaza. The Israeli military said Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari reunited with their mothers inside Israel after 471 days.
The three girls appeared to be in good health according to a video released by the Israeli military. The truce came into effect a day before US President Donald Trump's swearing-in. His national security advisor-designate, Mike Waltz, has warned that the US would support Israel "in doing what it has to do" if Hamas violated the agreement. Waltz also said that Hamas would not govern Gaza, stressing it was "completely unacceptable".
If the ceasefire holds, the next exchange will be held on January 25. As part of the deal, Hamas is expected to release four hostages while Israel will free 30-50 Palestinian prisoners.