The three female hostages are expected to be released first after the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas goes into effect Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. local time in Israel, which is 1:30 a.m. ET.
As of 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Israel was still awaiting a list of which hostages would be released first.
Israel’s Cabinet on Saturday morning approved the agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages captured after Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The first phase of the deal begins on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages and lasts for 42 days.
Israel Defense Forces will receive hostages on Sunday with equipped camper trailers and comfortable supplies
The three female hostages are expected to be released first after the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas takes effect at 8:30 a.m. local time Sunday morning, or 1:30 a.m. ET. (Maya Alleruzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
During that time, a total of 33 hostages will be released, with priority given to children, women, female soldiers, people over the age of 50, and sick or injured men. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners will also be sent back 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 would be released on the seventh day and three more on the 14th day, with women given priority.
Three other hostages would also be released on the 28th day and again on the 35th day.
Between 35 and 42 days, hostages Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, both held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Israel government approves agreement signed by negotiators
Twelve hostages will be released in the last week of phase one.
Hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel on Saturday demanding the immediate return of the hostages to their homes after the implementation of the ceasefire. (Nir Kedar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
On the 16th day of phase one, negotiations will begin for phase two, which is expected to include the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, including young men, soldiers and fallen soldiers.
The second phase will start on day 43 and will continue for the next 42 days.
The Israeli government decided that the Israel Defense Forces would remain in Gaza until the last hostages were freed, but that they would withdraw to a security zone on the Gaza border that provides protection to residents living there.
Netanyahu and his Cabinet met on Friday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem to discuss hostages seeking a ceasefire agreement. (Courtesy: GPO)
Click here to get the Fox News app
The plan is a new defense approach and is still being finalized under the IDF’s Southern Command.
