The group's gunmen are guarding aid convoys on Gaza's dusty roads, and its blue-uniformed police once again patrol city streets, sending a clear message: Hamas remains in charge.
Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were the first three hostages released from Gaza on Sunday morning. They arrived in Israel, the military announced, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.
Follow NBC News' live coverage as Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire deal to halt the Gaza war and release hostages, while Biden and Trump react.
The group is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel.
Israeli media, carrying live footage from Qatar-based Al Jazeera, is showing the first images of the first three hostages to be released
The deal brings hope for Palestinians facing food shortages and widespread death and destruction, but its terms are controversial for an Israeli public traumatized by the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack—and wary of security concessions. Israel’s cabinet still has to give the deal its blessing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was treating the ceasefire as temporary and retained the right to continue fighting if necessary.