A total of 48 Hamas captives are set to be released, with 20 thought to be alive. Israel is set to free over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners in return.
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Hamas has released seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross on Monday morning, the first to be released as part of the ceasefire agreed to end the Israel-Hamas war.
The deal involves the exchange of the last 48 hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, 20 of whom are thought to be alive. Over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Israel.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump landed in Israel on Monday before addressing the Knesset, the country's parliament.
He will later head to Egypt to meet with other world leaders and discuss the US-proposed deal, which resulted in a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel and the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners.
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EU's Kallas praises Trump for hostage release 'breakthrough'
The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas praised US President Donald Trump for the hostage release, saying on X he "made this breakthrough possible."
She also welcomed the release of the first group of seven hostages held by Hamas, stating it was a "major success for democracy" and a “crucial milestone towards peace.”
Netanyahu welcomes Trump as they head to Jerusalem
US President Donald Trump is on his way to Jerusalem together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
There, Trump will address the Knesset. Trump is travelling in his armoured vehicle known as The Beast.
Trump's daughter Ivanka, her husband Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff all met with the US president after he landed in Israel on Monday.
Hostages arrive at checkpoint, IDF confirms
The first seven hostages released by Hamas have arrived at the initial reception point, the Israeli military confirmed.
They will be given a medical checkup before they are reunited with their families.
Hamas will release another group of "several hostages" later in the day, IDF reported.
Loved ones of hostages wait with bated breath
Families and friends of the captives could be seen cheering as Israeli television channels announced that the hostages had been turned over to the Red Cross.
Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered across the country to share the moment at public screenings, with a large event being held in Tel Aviv.
Major Israeli TV channels aired special overnight coverage ahead of the hostages’ release as anticipation mounted. Before dawn, crowds began gathering around a large screen in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square.
What we know so far about the hostage release?
Early on Monday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said it had started a "multi-phase operation" to oversee the release of hostages and prisoners.
The living hostages will first be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which will then transfer them to the Israeli military. They will be taken to the Reim military base, where they will be reunited with their families.
The remains of up to 28 other hostages are not expected to be returned at the same time. An international task force will be formed to locate the bodies of hostages not recovered within 72 hours, said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s coordinator for the hostages and the missing.
250 Palestinians who are serving life terms or long sentences in Israeli prisons are expected to be released, as well as 1,700 who were detained in the Gaza Strip during the war. No timetable has yet been announced for the release of the Palestinian prisoners, who are expected to first go through a medical check-up before being reunited with their families in a ceremony.