After ceasefire 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. EST, and the three hostages are expected to be the first to be freed.
As of Saturday, at 8:00 PM ET, Israel was still awaiting a list of which hostages would be freed first.
Israeli cabinet approved the job early Saturday morning for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages captured after Hamas’ unprovoked attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The first phase of the agreement begins on Sunday with the release of the first three hostages and lasts 42 days.
After a 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, the three hostages are expected to be the first to be freed. (Maya Alleruzzo/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 50, and sick and 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 revealed until they are released.
Four more hostages will be released on the seventh day, and three more will be released on the 14th, with women taking priority.
Three more hostages will also be released on the 28th and again on the 35th.
Between the 35th and 42nd day, hostages Aver Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, both imprisoned in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
ISRAEL-HAMAS Ceasefire: Israeli Government Approves Agreement Signed by Negotiators
In the last week of the first phase, 12 hostages will be released.
Hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday to demand the immediate return of hostages to their homes after the ceasefire came into effect. (Nir Keidar/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 young men, soldiers and fallen soldiers.
The second phase will begin on day 43 and last for another 42 days.
The Israeli government has decided that the Israel Defense Forces will remain in Gaza until the last hostage is freed, but will return to the security zone along 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)
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The plan is a new defense approach and is still being finalized under the IDF’s Southern Command.
