The three hostages are expected to be the first to be released after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect at 8:30 a.m. local time in Israel on Sunday (1:30 a.m. ET).
As of 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Israel was still waiting for a list of hostages to be released first.
The Israeli cabinet approved the Gaza ceasefire agreement early Saturday morning and the release of Israeli hostages captured after Hamas' unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The first phase of the deal began on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages and will last 42 days.
The Israel Defense Forces will receive the hostages on Sunday with fully equipped camping trailers and comfort supplies
Three hostages are expected to be released first after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET) on Sunday. (Maya Areruzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
During this period, a total of 33 hostages will be released, with priority being given to children, women, female soldiers, people over 50 years old, and sick or injured men. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will also be returned to Gaza.
Most of the Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive, but their identities will not be revealed until closer to their release.
The other four hostages will be released on the 7th day, and the other three hostages will be released on the 14th day, with women being given priority.
The other three hostages will also be released again on the 28th and 35th days.
On days 35 to 42, the hostages Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Israeli government approves deal signed by negotiators
In the final week of the first phase, 12 hostages will be released.
Hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday to demand that hostages be returned home as soon as a ceasefire comes into effect. (Neil Kedar/Anadolu, Getty Images)
On Day 16 of the first phase, the second phase of negotiations will begin and is expected to include the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, including young people, soldiers and fallen soldiers.
The second phase will begin on day 43 and continue for a further 42 days.
The Israeli government has decided that the IDF will remain in Gaza until the last hostage is released, but they will withdraw to the safe zone along the Gaza border to provide security for the residents living there.
Netanyahu and his cabinet discussed the hostage issue in the ceasefire agreement at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on Friday. (provided by GPO)
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The plan is a new defense approach that is still being finalized by the IDF Southern Command.