Gaza truce, exchange of hostages for prisoners to begin on Jan 19

Israel's security Cabinet recommends approving deal

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JERUSALEM - The release of hostages held in Gaza since Hamas' Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel is expected to begin on Jan 19, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.

"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.

During the initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, 33 hostages are to be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, according to mediators and officials from both sides.

Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.

The total number of Palestinians released will depend on hostages released and could be between 990 and 1,650, including men, women and children.

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