A ceasefire has begun in Gaza after Hamas handed over to Israel a list of three captives to be released as part of the deal.
The ceasefire agreed between Israel and Hamas will take effect at 11:15am local time (09:15 GMT) on Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said.
Netanyahu’s office also said the release of the three captives would take place after 1400 GMT on Sunday. It also said four other living female hostages would be freed in seven days.
The spokesperson of Qatar’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has begun.
“Regarding reports when the ceasefire will begin in Gaza, we confirm that the names of the 3 hostages to be released today have been handed over to the Israeli side,” Majed al-Ansari said.
Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reporting from Khan Younis in southern Gaza said thousands of Palestinians will now be getting ready to go to areas they were not allowed to before – including Jabalia and Rafah, in northern and southern Gaza respectively.
“Since this morning people here were waiting for the ceasefire to take effect, and start moving towards Rafah. We also saw a lot of people putting together their luggage … getting ready to start going back,” she said.
“But those people also know that most of their houses are not even there. Most of their houses are not standing anymore. However, most Palestinians say they’re going to put their tents on top of the rubble. They miss their neighbourhoods … or whatever is left of it.”
The Government Media Office in Gaza says thousands of Palestinian police officers have been deployed in the territory “as part of a government plan to maintain security and order across various governorates”, adding that municipalities have started “reopening and rehabilitating streets”.
“Government ministries and institutions are fully prepared to begin operations according to the government plan to ensure the swift and gradual return of normal life,” it said the statement, adding that the return of displaced people will commence seven days after the ceasefire comes into effect.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military continued its attacks in Gaza, killing at least 19 Palestinians and wounding 25 others, the Civil Defence in Gaza said.
