Hamas official says hostages' release to begin on Monday morning

Hamas said on Saturday that it will begin releasing Israeli hostages on Monday, following the implementation of the first phase of a ceasefire plan in Gaza that took effect on Friday. The ceasefire followed days of negotiations in Egypt that included a prisoner exchange and plans to reopen border crossings and allow aid into Gaza.

Under the agreement, Israel is expected to halt fighting and partially withdraw from the Gaza Strip, while Hamas will release all remaining hostages in exchange for the release of around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.