Hamas is expected to release three hostages Sunday, while Israel will set free around 90 Palestinian prisoners—halting hostilities while a permanent truce is negotiated.

A ceasefire in Gaza started after a three-hour delay due to Hamas' late release of hostage names. The truce, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, ends 15 months of conflict. Both sides will release hostages: dozens held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Israeli and Hamas missed a ceasefire deadline, leading to Israeli attacks on Gaza. Eight Palestinians were killed. The ceasefire could end conflict which started on Oct. 7, resulting in thousands of deaths.

A ceasefire, hostage and prisoners deal endorsed by Israel and Hamas came into effect Sunday after a three-hour delay.

The deadline for the start of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip passed as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had not lived up to its commitment to provide the names of the three hostages it was set to release later on Sunday in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners.

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli warplanes and artillery attacked the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday and Palestinian medics said eight people were killed shortly after Israel and Hamas missed a deadline for a ceasefire that could pave the way for halting the Middle East's most devastating conflict in years.

Mughrabi and James Mackenzie JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip took effect on Sunday after a nearly three-hour delay, pausing a 15-month-old war that has brought devastation and seismic political change to the Middle East.