In the backdrop of the US-brokered peace deal coming into force in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has started moving the surviving Israeli hostages to secure locations ahead of being handed over, reports said.
After two years of relentless bombardment, a rare calm has settled over Gaza. As the sun rose over Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud reflected on the hopes for peace, and said for the first time in years, he felt safe while reporting the news. pic.twitter.com/DsUSWFem90
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 9, 2025
ALSO READ | Trump's Middle East breakthrough: What's next for Gaza after Israel-Hamas peace deal?
The Israeli hostages from 7 October 2023 may be released as early as Saturday under a US plan to end the war in Gaza, and the country's military will complete the first part of a partial withdrawal from the enclave within 24 hours of the deal being sealed, Reuters said in a report.
How many Israelis are alive in Gaza?
According to Hebrew media reports, Israel has reasons to believe that there are around 20 living hostages across Hamas locations. They are all expected to be released at the same time. The Israeli media reports added that they are being kept captive across various locations around northern and central Gaza.
Hamas says it has submitted lists of Palestinian prisoners to Israel “according to the criteria agreed upon in the ceasefire agreement” and is “awaiting final agreement on the names” before announcing them publicly.
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 9, 2025
🔴 LIVE update: https://t.co/QnaJQQ7ry9 pic.twitter.com/Ft2huVBEDZ
Meanwhile, the list of Palestinians being released as a part of the deal is yet to be finalised. In Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh, the priority of the Israeli delegation has shifted to finalising and completing the details of the agreement with the list of Palestinian "terrorists" to be released as a part of the deal, The Times of Israel said in a report. However, it was not immediately known how many in all were being let go by Tel Aviv.
The signing of the agreement is expected to take place at noon Israel time (0900 GMT) on Thursday, Reuters said. Israel's security cabinet and government are due to hold meetings on the agreement at 5 p.m. Israel time (1400 GMT). Israelis and Palestinians rejoiced after Trump announced that a ceasefire and hostage deal was reached under the first phase of his plan to end a war in Gaza that has killed more than 67,000 people and reshaped the Middle East.
