Freedom at last: As part of a Gaza ceasefire (停火) agreement that took effect on Oct 10, Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons arrived outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip on Oct 13. Following talks mediated (斡旋) by Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye and the US, the first stage of the agreement was reached between Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, and Israel on Oct 9, said Xinhua. Under the agreement, Israel will release 1,700 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 48 hostages (人质) held by Hamas. Other parts of the first stage of the agreement include Israel pulling out from some areas of Gaza and opening five crossings to allow aid for people in need. The second stage of peace talks between Hamas and Israel had also begun, the BBC reported on Oct 14.