An explosion was seen on the Gaza skyline from southern Israel early on Sunday morning ahead of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas which is set to begin, pausing the devastating 15-month war between Israel and the militant Hamas group in the Gaza Strip.

Israel says the Gaza ceasefire will begin at 11:15 a.m. local time. The announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office came after Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to release on Sunday.

A long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza began after a three-hour delay as Hamas named the three female hostages it plans to free later on Sunday. Israel had vowed to keep fighting until it received the names,

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are eager to leave miserable tent camps and return to their homes if a long-awaited ceasefire agreement halts the Israel-Hamas war.

The first three hostages held by Hamas and some prisoners held by Israel are scheduled to be exchanged following the cessation of hostilities Sunday.

Israel’s cabinet has approved a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages that will pause the 15-month war with Hamas for six weeks. The deal brings Israel and Hamas a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever.

The militants maintained they were “committed” to the deal, while residents of Gaza and families of the hostages anxiously waited to see if it would materialize. The deal now goes to the full Cabinet of ministers for final sign-off.