A ceasefire has come into effect in Gaza after the Palestinian group Hamas released a list of hostages to be released in the first phase. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office issued a statement on Sunday saying that the ceasefire came into effect at 11:15 am local time (3:00 am Nepali time).

Bipin Joshi, a Nepali citizen who is under the control of Hamas, will not miss the first phase of the ceasefire. Israel has released a list of 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire by Hamas. Bipin's name is not included in the public list. Bipin, who came to Israel to study agriculture under the "Learn and Earn" program, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023 from Alumim Kibbutz. 

Three hostages have been released on Sunday, the first day of the ceasefire. Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen were released on Sunday evening. All three of them were brought to Israel from Gaza by a Red Cross team. According to Israel, all three had been under the control of Hamas since October 7, 2023. Israel has also released 90 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children. 

A ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, brokered by the US and Egypt, along with Qatar. The agreement mentions that the implementation of the second and third phase of the ceasefire will be further discussed from the 16th day of the first phase. According to the agreement, in the second phase, Israeli forces will be completely withdrawn from Gaza, and in exchange, Hamas will release more prisoners, including soldiers. In the third phase, it is said that Hamas will return the remaining hostages or bodies in exchange for the 3 to 5-year reconstruction plan to be carried out in Gaza under international supervision. 

Israel attacked Gaza on Sunday morning saying that Hamas had delayed the cease-fire in Gaza. According to CNN, at least 19 people were killed and more than 25 injured in the attack. The agreement states that Hamas will release 33 people during the six-week ceasefire. Thousands of internally displaced Gazans have begun to return to their homes as the ceasefire begins. 

Public photos on international media and social media showed long lines of people carrying clothes and other belongings returning home. Also, cars and vehicles filled with people carrying Palestinian flags have been seen. The United Nations Palestine Refugee Agency says thousands of trucks full of food and flour are waiting to enter Gaza. 4,000 trucks carrying aid are ready to enter Gaza. Half of them are carrying food and flour," the organization said.

Israel's far-right Jewish Power Party has split from the coalition government led by Benjamin Netanyahu after the ceasefire came into effect. With the separation of the party from the coalition government, the Netanyahu government is left with a small majority. Along with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir, Development Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu also resigned from the party.

Gavir resigned calling the ceasefire with Hamas a 'victory for terrorism'. Likewise, Bezalel Smotrich, head of the Religious Zionist Party and Minister of Finance, also disagreed with the ceasefire agreement. He has threatened to leave the government, stating that the Gaza ceasefire is a surrender with Hamas and a grave mistake.