West Asia Conflict LIVE | Three hostages arrive in Israel as fragile ceasefire passes first hurdle

The long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas finally came into effect with a hostage release held on Sunday, paving the way for the end to a 15-month war that has upended West Asia. The agreement followed months of on-off negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Hamas has released the names of the three Israeli hostages freed on the first day of the implementation of the deal. The war was triggered by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s 15-month onslaught in Gaza has killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health ministry figures. Follow this space for the latest updates from the conflict in West Asia.