DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The first three hostages set to be released from Gaza were transferred to the Red Cross and were on their way toward Israeli forces, the Israeli military announced Sunday, hours after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the cease-fire would not begin until Hamas provides the names of the three hostages it was set to release later Sunday in exchange for scores of Palestinian prisoners.

Among the dead were six women and four children, health officials said, as negotiators try to conclude a deal to end the 15-month war.

Several Israeli hostages were released from captivity in Gaza yesterday and were reunited with their families, the Israeli military said, as a 42-day cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect.

The future is "uncertain and unclear" in Gaza after a long-awaited ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began, BBC Middle East Correspondent Rushdi Abualouf has said. "People don't know if it's a real ceasefire on the ground,

Israel announces ceasefire in Gaza after Hamas hands over first hostage list for release on January 19 Israel has declared the start of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, following Hamas' submission of the list of the first hostages to be released on January 19,