"Subject to cabinet and government approval and the agreement taking effect, the release of hostages can be implemented according to the planned schedule, under which the release of hostages is expected as early as Sunday," a message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said.
Israeli authorities have informed the families of 33 hostages about the planned release of their relatives from the Gaza Strip as part of the first phase of a deal with the Palestinian movement Hamas, reported from the Kan TV channel.
"This morning (Friday), the Office for Hostage Affairs informed the families of 33 captives whose names were included in the release list as part of the first phase of the deal," the state broadcaster reported.

The families were not informed about the hostages' health conditions.

In the first phase of the agreed deal, which should last 42 days, all women, including military personnel, children, men over 50 years old, as well as those listed as sick and wounded will be released from the Gaza Strip.

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