Hamas poised to release first hostages under deal

Hamas is expected to release the first group of hostages on January 19th under the ceasefire deal, the office for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on January 17th, following the 15-month long war on Gaza, Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters reported.
Israel’s war on Gaza has destroyed much of Gaza’a infrastructure, killed more than 46,000 people and internally displaced most of the population.
READ: Ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas
Under the first phase of the three stage deal, Hamas will release 33 hostages, including all women, children and men over 50. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails.
On 17th January, the Israeli Justice Ministry released the names of the 95 Palestinians to be freed in the exchange on Sunday. The total number of Palestinians released could be between 990 and 1650, and will depend on the hostages released.
Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters