![PHOTO: Freed Palestinian prisoners wave to the crowd from a Red Cross bus that drove them out of the Israeli Ofer military prison in the occupied West Bank, as they arrive in Beitunia, on Jan. 20, 2025.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/Palestinian-prisoners-DB-250120_1737365116165_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg)
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will be freed in the first phase of the deal.
Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.
Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.