Hamas is expected to provide Israel with the names of four hostages scheduled for release on Saturday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

The hostages are believed to include both soldiers and civilians, all of whom are women. Their release will take place in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli custody.

This marks the second exchange since the ceasefire began last Sunday. In the first swap, three hostages were released in return for 90 Palestinian prisoners.

The ceasefire brought a temporary halt to the war that erupted following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, with 251 people taken hostage and transported to Gaza.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, more than 47,200 Palestinians—mostly civilians—have been killed in Israel’s subsequent military offensive.

Hamas is also expected to provide details on the remaining 26 hostages set for release over the next five weeks. Among them is the Bibas family—two parents and their two children, including 10-month-old Kfir, the youngest hostage taken. However, it is unclear whether Hamas will disclose only the number of living or deceased hostages or provide specific names.

The Palestinian prisoners being released in this phase are considered to have committed more serious offenses compared to those freed in the initial exchange. Some have been convicted of killings and are serving sentences exceeding 15 years. Israel has maintained that no individuals involved in the October 7 attacks will be among those released.

The ceasefire deal was reached after months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt.

The agreement is set to be carried out in three phases, with the second phase beginning six weeks into the truce. During the first stage, around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be freed in exchange for 33 hostages. Israeli forces will also begin withdrawing from positions in Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to areas they had fled or were forced from.

The ceasefire is aimed at securing a permanent end to hostilities in Gaza.

Currently, 91 hostages taken on October 7 remain in Gaza. Israel believes 57 of them are still alive. Additionally, three others—two of whom are confirmed alive—have been held captive for over a decade.