Phase 1 Ceasefire Enacted — Hostage Releases Resume

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas was reached in January 2025, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States (with President-elect Trump's team also involved). Phase 1 (6 weeks) began January 19, 2025 and involved the release of 33 Israeli hostages (primarily women, elderly, and children) in exchange for ~1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The Bibas children — whose father Yarden was held in Gaza — were among those discussed. The ceasefire included daily humanitarian aid corridors and Israeli troop withdrawals from some Gaza areas.