A young Palestinian girl walks along a street on a misty morning in Khan Yunis in the northern Gaza Strip on January 17, 2025, as Israel's security cabinet is expected to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Qatar and the United States announced on January 15 a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between Israel and Hamas that will take effect on January 19, adding that they hoped it would pave the way for a permanent end to the war in Gaza. Photo: AFP/BASHAR TALEB
The release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel is expected to begin on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday.

"Subject to the approval of the cabinet and the government, and the implementation of the agreement, the release of the hostages can proceed according to the planned framework, with the hostages expected to be released as early as Sunday," the office said in a statement.

Two sources close to Hamas told AFP that the first group of hostages to be released consists of three Israeli women soldiers.

"They are expected to be released on Sunday evening," one source said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.

"The Red Cross, along with Egyptian and Qatari teams, will receive the Israeli prisoners (hostages)," he said.

"They will then be transported to Egypt, where they will be handed over to the Israeli side present there to complete the handover and conduct necessary medical examinations."

"Afterward, they will be transported directly to Israel. (Israel) is then expected to release the first group of Palestinian prisoners, including several with high sentences," the source added