-
The first day of the ceasefire brought a mix of relief and emotion to the Gaza Strip after 15 months of relentless conflict. Hamas released three Israeli hostages, while Israel freed 90 Palestinians. In Ramallah, celebratory fireworks and cheers filled the air as buses carrying released prisoners arrived, while emotional reunions unfolded in Tel Aviv as freed hostages returned to their families. However, amidst the backdrop of widespread destruction, residents in Gaza did not view this moment as a celebration but as a brief pause in their ongoing suffering. While the ceasefire’s initial phase offers hope, the challenges of rebuilding lives in Gaza and restoring stability remain daunting.
-
Khaleda Jarar, a freed Palestinian prisoner, is greeted after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, January 20, 2025. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
People gather around a bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners after their release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
Romi Gonen, a hostage who has been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, is released as part of a ceasefire deal. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
A freed Palestinian prisoner speaks on a phone after being released from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap and a ceasefire deal in Gaza in Ramallah. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
A freed Palestinian prisoner poses for a photo after being released from an Israeli jail. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
The ceasefire deal allowed Palestinians to return to bombed-out neighbourhoods and to begin rebuilding their lives. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
Emily Damari one of the three hostages who have been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack after getting released. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
A freed Palestinian prisoner greets her child after her release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
The streets in shattered Gaza City were full of groups who were recording scenes on their mobile phones. (Photo source: Reuters)
-
Doron Steinbrecher, a hostage who has been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, is released as part of a ceasefire. (Photo source: Reuters).
-
Women comfort each other as people gather, on the day of the arrival of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari, three former female hostages who have been held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack. (Photo source: Reuters)
‘TCS employee forced into early retirement after 30 years,’ claims Reddit user; ‘No severance pay, no compensation’
