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Gaza ceasefire comes into effect

(Xinhua) 08:17, January 20, 2025

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

JERUSALEM, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into effect on Sunday, after more than 15 months of deadly strikes.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the beginning of the ceasefire in a statement, after Hamas released the names of the first three female hostages set to be freed later in the day.

The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, was scheduled to go into effect at 0830 a.m. (0630 GMT). However, Netanyahu ordered the military to continue the assault, vowing not to cease fighting until Hamas provided the list of hostages.

In a statement, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to the deal but said the delay of providing the list was due to technical reasons.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said it conducted artillery and airstrikes in several locations across Gaza. Palestinian health authorities reported at least eight people were killed in the attacks.

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2025 shows a view of the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

A location in Gaza is under attack on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Destroyed buildings are pictured after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

Palestinians are pictured with destroyed buildings after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

A Palestinian stands on destroyed buildings after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)

Palestinians are pictured with destroyed buildings at Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Jan. 19, 2025. (Photo by Abdul Rahman Salama/Xinhua)