Details revealed on how hostages are being released in Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal

Ending more than 15 months of deadly conflict, Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal on Wednesday that includes the release of prisoners held by both sides.

The agreement was announced in Doha, Qatar, after months of negotiations between Israel and Hamas brokered by facilitators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

Among other provisions of the ceasefire, the Hamas delegation agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza, dead and alive, in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The agreement begins on Sunday 19 January and will be rolled out in stages. The first phase of the deal, which will take place over six weeks, will include the release of the 33 Israeli hostages as well as an unspecified number of the 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Two more phases would follow to finalize the terms of the agreement, according to the Hamas delegation.

Israeli officials said their government’s cabinet will meet on Thursday to approve the deal.

President Joe Biden released a statement following the cease-fire announcement, noting how American citizens held hostage by Hamas will be included in the cease-fire release agreement.

“This agreement will end the fighting in Gaza, increase much-needed humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians and reunite the hostages with their families after more than 15 months in captivity,” Biden said in a statement.

Biden said he is determined to bring home seven American hostages, three of whom are believed to be alive, he said.

The identities of the hostages released by Hamas and Israel have not yet been released. But ahead of Wednesday’s deal, Hamas had indicated it was willing to hand over at least two of the seven American citizens the group is holding – Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, and Keith Siegel, 65. American hostage Edan Alexander, 20, may also be a third hostage included in the agreement.

American hostages who have died and whose bodies are believed to remain with Hamas include Itay Chen, 19, Omer Neutra, 22, and married couple Judith Weinstein, 70, and Gadi Haggai, 73.

Since the conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, the militant group has taken a total of 251 hostages, with 94 remaining in Gaza, according to Israeli officials. Of the 94, at least 34 have died, according to officials.

This is a development story. Please check back for updates.