Evening update

Good evening,  

Nearly a day has passed since the ceasefire deal between Gaza and Israel began to take hold on Sunday morning. 

Palestinian families are awaiting news of their loved ones in Israeli prisons while Israeli families celebrate the release of three Israeli captives from Gaza. 

Here’s a summary of the main developments from today:

• The Israeli army said the Red Cross confirmed the handover of three Israeli captives. The three female captives are Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher.
• The Israeli Prison Service said it is working to process the release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement. The Red Cross will verify the prisoners' identities and await the arrival of Israeli captives.
• US President Joe Biden, in his final remarks, has defended his administration's decision to back Israel and said a ceasefire would not have taken place without the support Washington had given Israel. He expressed hope that the incoming administration would help fulfil the remainder of the ceasefire agreement and pave the way for further normalisation efforts between Israel and its regional allies, particularly Saudi Arabia.  
• Hundreds of aid trucks have slowly amassed at the Israeli-controlled Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing as Egypt carries out maintenance at the Rafah crossing.
• The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli forces have killed at least 46,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023. 
• Thousands of Palestinians have begun returning to their homes following the ceasefire.
• The Palestinian Civil Defence team said Israeli strikes killed at least 19 Palestinians and wounded 36 more during the delay in implementing the ceasefire on Sunday.
• The London Metropolitan Police arrested one of the main organisers of the national rally for Palestine on Saturday. Chris Nineham, Vice-Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, was charged with violating the Public Order Act.