The three female hostages are first expected to be released 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 Saturday, at 8 p.m. ET, Israel was still waiting to see which hostages would be released first.
Israel’s cabinet called for a cease-fire in Gaza and Oct. 7, 2023 approved a deal early Saturday to free Israeli hostages held after Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel.
The first phase of the deal begins on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages and lasts 42 days.
The Israel Defense Forces will receive the hostages on Sunday in equipped camper trailers and comfort supplies
The three female hostages are first expected to be released after the cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas goes into effect Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. local time, which is 1:30 a.m. ET. (Maya Alleruzzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
During that time, a total of 33 hostages will be freed, with priority given to children, women, female soldiers, people over 50, 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 be still alive, but their identities will not be released until they are released.
Another four hostages will be released on the seventh day and three more on the 14th, with women being given priority.
Three more hostages will also be released on day 28 and again on day 35.
Between days 35 and 42, hostages Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Said, who have both been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire: Israeli Government Approves deal Signed by Negotiators
12 hostages will be released in the last week of the first phase.
Hundreds of people gathered in Israel’s Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand the immediate return of hostages to their homes after a ceasefire came into effect. (Nir Kedar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
On the 16th day of the first phase, negotiations will begin for the second phase, which is expected to include the release of all remaining Israeli hostages, including youths, soldiers and dead soldiers.
The second phase will begin on day 43 and last for another 42 days.
The Israeli government decided that the Israel Defense Forces would remain in Gaza until the last hostage was released, but they would return to the security zone on the Gaza border that provides security for residents living there.
Netanyahu and his cabinet discuss hostages for a ceasefire deal at the prime minister’s office in Jerusalem on Friday. (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.