The three female hostages are expected to be the first to be released after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas goes into effect Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET).
As of Saturday at 8pm ET, Israel is still waiting for a list of which hostages will be released first.
The Israeli Cabinet early Saturday approved an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages captured after Hamas's 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 will last 42 days.
The Israel Defense Forces will receive hostages on Sunday with a fully equipped camping trailer and comfortable supplies.
The three female hostages are expected to be the first to be released after the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas goes into effect Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. local time (1:30 a.m. ET). (Maya Areruzzo/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
During this time, a total of 33 hostages are scheduled to be released, with priority given to children, women, female soldiers, people over 50, and injured and sick men. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are also scheduled to 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 release.
Four more hostages were released on the seventh day, and three more are expected to be released on the 14th day, with women first.
Three more hostages were released on the 28th day and are expected to be released on the 35th day.
Between the 35th and 42nd, hostages Abela Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released.
Israel-Hamas ceasefire: Israeli government approves agreement signed by negotiators
During the last week of Phase 1, 12 hostages will be released.
Hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Saturday to demand the immediate return of the hostages after a ceasefire took effect. (Nil Kaydar/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.
Phase 2 begins on day 43 and continues for an additional 42 days.
The Israeli government has decided that the IDF will remain in Gaza until the last hostage is released, but will return to a safe zone along the Gaza border that ensures the safety of residents living in Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu and his cabinet will discuss hostages to a cease-fire agreement on Friday at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem. (Courtesy of GPO)
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The plan represents a new defense approach and is still being finalized under the IDF's Southern Command.
