Sunday marks one week since a six-week ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic group Hamas took effect in the Gaza Strip.

The two sides had been fighting in the territory since October 2023. There have been no major clashes since the ceasefire began on January 19.

Hamas has released seven Israeli hostages so far. Three women were freed on the first day of the six-week pause, and four female soldiers were handed over on Saturday.

In exchange, Israel has released 290 Palestinian prisoners.

Deliveries of humanitarian supplies to Gaza have also increased significantly. Several hundred trucks carrying food aid have been entering the enclave every day. UN agencies and other organizations are among those providing more assistance.

Hamas is expected to release another 26 hostages over the next five weeks. Several of them will be freed each week. This is the first phase of the ceasefire.

Observers are waiting to see whether more hostages will be released and whether fighting will remain suspended as the second phase approaches. The second phase is supposed to include a permanent ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Israel is planning to implement a new law that bans the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, or UNRWA, from operating in the country. The law will go into effect on January 30.

The agency will be required to cease its operations in Jerusalem and evacuate all premises in which it functions in the city.

UNRWA released a statement on Sunday. It said the order is in contradiction to the international law obligations of UN member states, including the State of Israel.