Phase one of the deal states that Hamas officials will release a total of 33 hostages, many of whom are children, women and people over 50. In return, Israeli officials will release 50 Palestinian prisoners held in their jails for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas, and 30 Palestinian prisoners for other hostages held by Hamas.

Of around 250 people taken into the Gaza Strip as hostages on Oct. 7, 2023, about 100, living and dead, are believed to still be held.

Hamas took hundreds of hostages during the surprise October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the current conflict. At least 117 have since been released, mostly in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.