Hostages and prisoners released as part of Gaza ceasefire deal

Crowds in Israel waiting for the returning hostages

There were scenes of celebration in Israel as crowds gathered to welcome home Israelis who've been held in Gaza.

It's part of the ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas is releasing all the remaining Israeli hostages, who were kidnapped on October 7 2023 when this conflict started, and in exchange Israel is releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, who are also being greeted by crowds.

US President Donald Trump has arrived in the Middle East - he is speaking at Israel's parliament, before heading to Egypt to meet around 20 other world leaders.

The ceasefire in Gaza is a pause in the fighting and has been described as a "first phase", with many more details still to be agreed to achieve a lasting peace.

US President Donald Trump is in Israel to mark the occasion, before he heads to meet world leaders in Egypt

Thousands of people gathered around big screens in Hostages Square, Tel Aviv, waiting for news that hostages had been released, waving Israeli flags and signs saying "they're coming home".

The hostages being released by Hamas were handed over to the Red Cross charity in Gaza.

They were then flown by the Israeli military to a base in southern Israel, to be be looked after and given health checks by doctors, before being able to meet their families.

The hostages that have died will also be returned to their families as part of the agreement.

Israel has also released Palestinian prisoners, as part of the ceasefire deal.

From the early hours of the morning, dozens of families waited for the release of their relatives from prisons in Israel.

After being transported by bus, the first of those released were welcomed by crowds, including friends and relatives.

Aid has begun arriving in Gaza

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of Palestinians have started returning to northern Gaza, including parts of Gaza City, which many had left during the fighting.

Many homes, schools, hospitals, mosques and shops have been badly damaged or destroyed there after months of airstrikes and shelling.

The pause in fighting comes after peace talks led by the United States and involving Israel, Hamas, and Arab countries.

It involves the Israeli military pulling back to an agreed point within Gaza, Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners being released, and more aid going into Gaza.