Thousands of Israelis cheered and wept in Tel Aviv on Jan. 19 as they watched live video showing three hostages being released under a ceasefire deal.

There are still 57 living hostages left in Gaza; 30 more hostages, including two Americans, are set to be freed in the first phase of the cease-fire agreement.

The first three hostages set to be released from Gaza were transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way toward Israeli forces, the Israeli military announced Sunday, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.

The first hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023 were released Sunday morning, with 33 hostages expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The deal ushers in an initial six-week period of calm and raises hopes for the release of dozens of militant-held hostages and an end to the war.

There is a “palpable” sense of relief among Israelis Sunday afternoon as images of Hamas handing over the three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross are broadcasted, FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky said, reporting from Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square where many Israelis have gathered to follow the latest news of the planned hostage-prisoner swap between Israel and Hamas.

A screen broadcasting at Hostages Square is split between the Israeli army spokesman and a scene of Hamas fighter surrounding a van containing Israeli hostages on the verge of release, Jan. 19, 2024. (Ori Aviram/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Watch live as crowds gather in Tel Aviv as the Israel and Hamas ceasefire sees hostages released on Sunday (19 January) after 470 days.

The first three hostages released from Gaza arrived in Israel on Sunday for tearful reunions with families, hours after the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold following 15 months of war. Palestinians waited for the first release of prisoners held by Israel.

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal, with a pause in fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to begin early Sunday. Follow for live updates.

Israel has freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. The release comes early on Monday, more than seven hours after three Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took effect on Sunday as Hamas released the first three female hostages it held for 15 months of the devastating war with Israel.