Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting in Gaza and release some hostages and prisoners in an agreement that was first put forward by President Donald Trump.

Israel’s completion Phase A of Trump’s hostage deal sparks hope for early release before Monday. Medical centers are on alert as families are told it could happen as soon as Sunday.

Israel currently believes that Hamas may release all remaining hostages earlier than previously expected, according to reports in Hebrew media, with some saying the scheduled release day is now Sunday instead of Monday, which is the deadline for their release.

With the countdown underway for the release of Israeli hostages under President Trump's peace plan, Yehuda Cohen reflected on his son's years in captivity.

There have been scenes of celebration in Tel Aviv's after US President Donald Trump said Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a peace deal. BBC's Middle East correspondent Lucy Williamson reports from Hostage Square, where people are dancing and celebrating the news.

After U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had struck a deal that is meant to free the remaining hostages, the tension in the square began to lift. Israel says that of the 250 initially taken captive, 20 of the hostages that remain in Gaza are alive and 28 are dead.

The IDF chief warned that all soldiers must stay on their guard as "the enemy is still here - he has not disappeared," and there could still be unexpected military confrontations. While touring the front lines in Gaza on Thursday,

The goal of the task force is to return as many remains of abducted individuals as possible to Israel, along with the living hostages, within 72 hours. A joint Israeli-US-Qatari-Egyptian task force will be established to locate the remains of deceased hostages whose location is unknown.