The hostages got into vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross as the crowd of fighters chanted the name of the armed wing of Hamas.

The first stage of a truce between Israel and Hamas prompted celebrations in Gaza and hope for an end to the 15-month war. Three Israeli hostages were expected to be freed on Sunday, along with dozens of Palestinian prisoners.

The first three Israeli hostages were transferred to the Red Cross on Sunday, marking the start of the long-awaited Gaza truce, according to a Hamas official and the Israeli military. The hostages, all women, were handed over in Gaza City before being sent back to Israel.

Celebrations erupted across the war-ravaged territory and some Palestinians began returning to their homes despite the delay.

Meanwhile, coaches have arrived at Israel’s Ofer Prison to transport 90 Palestinian prisoners who await their return.

The first three hostages set to be released from Gaza were transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way toward Israeli forces, the Israeli military announced Sunday, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.

Israel on Sunday said a truce with Hamas began in Gaza at 0915 GMT, nearly three hours after initially scheduled, following a last-minute delay on the orders of Prime Minister

Israel and Hamas have agreed to stop the war for six weeks, but now the hard part begins for all sides. During the first phase of the deal, which will last for 42 days, Hamas will release 33 of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages it has held for more than 15 months,

The first three Israeli hostages returning home under a long-awaited Gaza truce were transferred to the Red Cross on Sunday, a Hamas official and the Israeli military said. The hostages, all women, "were officially handed over to the Red Cross" in Gaza City ahead of their return to Israel,