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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Rom. Three women are back on Israeli soil,

after being held by Amos in Gaza for 15 months. Their release was part of a ceasefire that went

into effect today, pausing the

war that's killed tens of thousands of people. As Israeli troops pulled back, NPR's Aibatr

patrol reports many Palestinians are rushing to assess the damage. NPR producer in Gaza,

Anna Saba, saw people in cars and many on foot,

celebrating their return to the southern city of Ruffa for the first time in eight months.

Mohamed Aboumashin was among those running to enter Ruffa, the keys of his house in hand.

Though it was unclear if his home was still standing, Ruffa, like other areas of Gaza,

has been mostly leveled by Israeli airstrikes and controlled demolitions.

There are bodies and unexploded ordinance buried in the rubble, local officials say,

making recovery and rebuilding a difficult task.

Israel and Hames agreed to an initial six-week ceasefire to allow for hostages and detainees to be released.

The deal also calls for a surge and needed humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Ayabatrawi and Pierre News Dubai, with reporting by Annas Baba in Gaza.

President Biden said the agreement that he first put forward in May has finally come to fruition.

I've worked in foreign policy for decades, and this is one of the toughest negotiations I've

been part of. Many of you follow these negotiations will attest that the road of this deal

has been not easy at all on a long road. But we've reached this point today because of the

pressure of Israel built on a mosque backed by the United States.

Biden also referenced the Trump team's involvement in the final days of the negotiations,

...