Barry Rosen “lived in darkness” for 444 days after being taken by Iranian revolutionaries on Nov. 4, 1979, each day a new low of feeling “hopeless and helpless .” “Nothing is more important than for them to be home and see their loved ones again,” an emotional Rosen, 80, told The Post, after a cease-fire deal was announced this week.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was expected to start at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT).

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has come into effect after a delay of almost three hours. The three-stage truce starts the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.