Hamas Releases First Group of Hostages in Gaza Cease-Fire Deal With Israel

Hamas handed over 25 hostages taken from Israel, according to Egyptian officials, the initial phase in an agreement that has paused fighting in the Gaza war.

The release of the hostages, which keeps a fragile cease-fire on track, was the result of weeks of negotiations over a deal between Israel and Hamas that was brokered by Qatar and Egypt with the help of the U.S. The eventual return of the hostages to Israel will bring relief to their families, who have waited nearly seven weeks to bring them home. Once the hostages arrive in Israel, Israeli authorities are set to release a group Palestinian prisoners, made up of women and teenagers.