The first three hostages held by Hamas and some prisoners held by Israel are scheduled to be exchanged following the cessation of hostilities Sunday.

After 15 months of a grueling war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, Israel and Hamas agreed to phase one of a ceasefire deal on Wednesday. The agreement will create a pause in fighting that will allow critical aid to reach Gaza, and begin an exchange of hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

The Israeli government on Friday approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas that will see the release of all hostages held by the Palestinian group after more than seven hours of debate, local media reported.

The deal brings hope for Palestinians facing food shortages and widespread death and destruction, but its terms are controversial for an Israeli public traumatized by the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack—and wary of security concessions. Israel’s cabinet still has to give the deal its blessing.

Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners, 120 of them serving life sentences, from its jails as part of a ceasefire deal. They ranged in age from 16 to 67. Some were set free into an exuberant West Bank, while those whose offences were considered too serious were transferred to Egypt.

A second part of hostage exchanges under the initial phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel. Hamas has released four Israeli women hostages, whose names were released on Friday, from Gaza. Clutching Hamas-branded gift bags and wearing military fatigues,

Four female Israeli soldiers taken hostage during the October 7 attack have been released by Hamas in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel. NBC’s Daniele Hamamdjian reports for TODAY.

Under the deal that paused the 15-month war, Israel would release 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees in exchange for the four Israeli women, including 120 militants serving life sentences after being convicted of deadly attacks.

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When Hamas released a video of female Israeli soldier Liri Albag this month, after 15 months in Hamas captivity, her parents broke down to see their 19-year-old daughter looking frightened,

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The truce allowed Palestinians to return to bombed-out neighborhoods to begin rebuilding their lives, while relief trucks delivered much-needed aid