The group's gunmen are guarding aid convoys on Gaza's dusty roads, and its blue-uniformed police once again patrol city streets, sending a clear message: Hamas remains in charge.

Nir Barka also said that former U.S. President Joe Biden "restrained Israel," and expressed optimism about support from President Donald Trump.

Of all the images to have streamed out of Gaza on Sunday, perhaps the most telling was, ironically, that of a camera itself.

"It is striking that Israel was not mentioned in the president's inauguration speech," a senior Hamas official told Newsweek.

In truth, the first phase of the deal is relatively easy to implement and gives all parties a respite from draining conflict. After the six-week ceasefire, any extension will depend on the success of future negotiations,

In a rare move hours after the cease-fire took effect, one senior Hamas official said the group wants to engage the new Trump administration.

Emily Damari, one of the first hostages freed by Hamas in the cease-fire agreement, is speaking out for the first time following her release.

President Biden released a statement following the Israel-Hamas ceasefire announcement Wednesday, saying release of American hostages will be included in the agreement.

The IDF recently completed a major raid at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, arresting some 240 terrorists. Fox News Digital has learned that hostages were reportedly held there.

For all the military might Israel deployed in Gaza, it failed to remove Hamas from power, one of its central war aims.

A cease-fire agreement between Israel and terrorist group Hamas began Sunday with the release of three Israeli hostages, in exchange for some 90 Palestinian prisoners in.