A long-awaited ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas took effect on Sunday following months of difficult negotiations. Under the deal, the three-stage ceasefire starts with aninitial six-week phase when hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for prisoners and detainees jailed in Israel. Thirty-three of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives, are to be freed in this phase. In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails.
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