Smotrich said he has received assurances that Israel will resume the war after the first phase, during which 33 hostages held in Gaza are to return home and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are to be freed. The second phase, which must still be negotiated, is to work out an end to the war and return of all remaining hostages.

Hamas had released a video of Doron Steinbrecher, where she was seen reading a script. Her family has been ever since waiting for her return

Hours after three Israeli women were released from captivity in Gaza on Sunday, roughly 90 Palestinian prisoners were freed, Israel’s prison service said in a statement early Monday morning, as a long-awaited cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect.

A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took effect on Sunday following an almost three-hour delay after Hamas was late to name the three hostages it plans to release.

Three female Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months have been released and brought back to Israel, after a long-awaited ceasefire deal took effect. Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari,