The first hostages to be freed under the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas will be released on Sunday.

Hamas seized 251 hostages during the October 7 attack in 2023 and, after 15 months of war, still holds 94.

How does the ceasefire deal work?

The deal struck by Israel and Hamas is a multi-stage agreement, which means that all the hostages and all the prisoners will only be released if its conditions are met.

The first stage is what President Joe Biden called a “full and complete ceasefire” for six weeks.

If the ceasefire holds, negotiations on the second and third phase of the deal will begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.