GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories: Hamas will begin releasing Israeli hostages held in Gaza on Monday morning, a top official from the Palestinian militant group told AFP, before US President Donald Trump chairs an international summit in Egypt on his peace plan for the region. As part of the deal’s first phase, Hamas, whose deadly attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 sparked the conflict, will free the captives, 20 of whom Israel believes are still alive, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

The Gaza ceasefire deal, based on Trump's 20-point plan, aims to free prisoners and captives in the first phase.

The ceasefire will take effect after ratification by Netanyahu’s government, which meets after Thursday’s security cabinet session.