UPDATE - Hamas releases names of 3 Israeli captives set to be released under Gaza ceasefire deal

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – The Palestinian resistance group Hamas released the names of three female Israeli captives set to be released on Sunday under a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement.

Abu Obaida, spokesman of Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, identified the three captives as Romi Gonen, 24, Emily Damari, 28, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31.

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN earlier confirmed that Hamas had submitted the list of Israelis set to be released on Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office also confirmed that it had received a list of Israelis to be released on Sunday under the agreement.

In a statement, Netanyahu's office said that the security establishment is "checking the details" after receiving the list.

It added that Gal Hirsch, the government’s point person on the return of the captives, has begun updating the families of the three women expected to be returned to Israel today.

The ceasefire agreement took effect at 11.15 a.m. local time (0915GMT) on Sunday after a few hours delay due to Israeli accusations for Hamas of delaying the release of a list of captives set to be released. It was originally scheduled to start on 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT)

Nearly 47,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 110,700 others injured in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.