A long-awaited ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas came into force on Sunday after months of difficult negotiations. Under the agreement, the three-phase ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase when hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for prisoners and detainees in prisons in Israel. Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50, and sick and wounded prisoners, are to be released at this stage. In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its prisons.
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