What to know about the hostages for cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas set to begin Sunday

The Israeli government is on the verge of finalizing a historic cease-fire and hostage release agreement with Hamas, marking a critical turning point in the conflict that has been ongoing since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack. This significant deal, approved by the Israeli security cabinet, is set to come into effect on Sunday, with the first batch of three hostages expected to be released.

This breakthrough agreement comes after weeks of intense negotiations facilitated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended U.S. President Biden and President-elect Trump for their pivotal roles in advancing the discussions. Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to Biden for his unwavering commitment and praised Trump for his stance that Gaza should never again serve as a “haven for terrorism.” Trump, in a recent podcast interview, claimed that his involvement expedited the negotiation process, asserting, “We changed the course of it, and we changed it fast.”

According to the terms of the agreement, Hamas will release a total of 33 hostages in the initial phase, including women, children, elderly individuals, and those with critical medical needs. Notable captives set to be released include Rumi Gonen, a 24-year-old abducted from the Nova music festival, and Shiri Bibas along with her two young sons, Ariel and baby Kfir. Families of the hostages have been notified about the upcoming releases, while details regarding subsequent phases will be disclosed 24 hours prior to implementation.

Out of the three Americans believed to be alive in Gaza, only two individuals – Keith Siegel and Sagui Dekel-Chen – are included in the first phase of releases. Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American soldier, is notably absent from the initial list. This omission has raised concerns, with Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at FDD and former Trump NSC official, highlighting that leaving Alexander off the list would be a strategic error.

In return for the release of hostages, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian security prisoners, including minors, women, and individuals with health issues. Notable prisoners set to be released include Nawal Abd Fattah, convicted of attempting to stab an Israeli man in 2020, and Ibrahim Zmar, a 15-year-old involved in a 2023 shooting in Jerusalem. However, those convicted of leading major terror attacks are excluded from the deal.

The agreement also includes provisions for humanitarian relief, allowing for the daily entry of 600 trucks carrying essential supplies into Gaza. Displaced Gazans will be permitted to return to northern areas by the 22nd day, with security inspections limited to vehicles under Qatari-Egyptian supervision. The Israeli military will scale down its presence in certain areas while retaining control of crucial routes.

The release schedule is structured to release groups of three hostages weekly until the 35th day, followed by the release of 12 more hostages between the 35th and 42nd days, including long-held captives like Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed. Negotiations for the second phase, focusing on the release of young men, soldiers, and the return of bodies, will commence on the 16th day of the first stage.

President Biden emphasized during a press conference that the second phase of negotiations would involve the exchange of remaining living hostages, the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza, and the initiation of a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the region. Netanyahu, on the other hand, underscored that should negotiations for the second phase fail, Israel will resume military operations.

For the families of the hostages, the agreement represents a mix of hope and heartbreak. Ronen and Orna Neutra, whose son Omer was killed by Hamas and whose body remains in Gaza, expressed mixed emotions about the deal. They are hopeful that the new administration will ensure the agreement is upheld and provide closure for all affected families.

This momentous agreement signifies a significant step towards peace and reconciliation in the region, with hopes for a brighter future for all those impacted by the conflict.