After 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, a ceasefire has come into effect. It was delayed by about 3 hours from the scheduled time. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip began today after a delay of about three hours, bringing an end to the 15-month-old war. 

Israel had accused Hamas of not following the terms of the ceasefire and said that Hamas had not given the names of the 3 Israeli hostages to be released today. Now Hamas has sent the list of hostages to be released today to Israel.

Big changes after ceasefire

It has led to chaos and political change across the Middle East. Residents and a medical worker in Gaza said they had not heard of any new fighting or military attacks since about half an hour before the truce was finally implemented.

Hamas handed over the list of hostages

• Palestinian doctors said the ceasefire was supposed to start when it actually took effect. Meanwhile, 13 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air strikes and artillery attacks.
• Israel blamed Hamas for the delay after the Palestinian militant group failed to include the names of the first three hostages to be released under the deal.
• Hamas attributed the delay to technical reasons, without specifying what they were.
• Meanwhile, a Palestinian official said the delay was because mediators had asked for 48 hours of "calm" before a ceasefire process could begin, but Israeli attacks continued until the deadline expired, making it difficult to send the list.

Benjamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement

Two hours after the deadline, Hamas said it had sent a list of names, and Israeli officials confirmed receipt. Hamas named the hostages to be released Sunday as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari. Israel did not immediately confirm the names.

The ceasefire deal could help end the Gaza war, which began after Hamas, which controls the small coastal territory, launched an attack on Israel in October.