Thousands of Palestinians crowded the streets of Khan Younis in southern Gaza as International Committee of the Red Cross buses carrying the freed prisoners entered the city. Video footage showed armed men escorting the buses through the town, firing guns into the air.

Hamas is weakened but still influential and is unlikely to disarm. How powerful is Hamas and what other violent non-state actors pose a threat to the ceasefire?

The Associated Press Anticipation built across Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank on Sunday as the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas held before a critical day for all sides and the region.

Many clans and gangs are taking advantage of a security vacuum in Gaza to reassert their authority – some backed by Israel.

Israel has begun the release of nearly 2000 Palestinians held in its prisons after all living Israeli captives were released by Hamas on Monday as part of a ceasefire agreement. Huge crowds cheered as the released Palestinians got off the buses that transported them from Ofer prison to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians in the West Bank welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel to stop the war in Gaza with many fearing that Israel might resume the war after retrieving its hostages.