Israel has released ninety Palestinian prisoners on the first day of the ceasefire in exchange for the three hostages released from Gaza on Sunday, local Times of Israel reported quoting Israel Prisons Service.

The prisoners include 78 West Bank residents, released at the Beitunia Checkpoint near Ofer Prison, reported the newspaper.

The other 12 East Jerusalem residents were also transported to the city and released back to their homes.

According to reports, the prisoners released included 69 women and a minor.

A total of almost 2,000 inmates are planned to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal, reported The Times of Israel.

Meanwhile, the first three Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas members hours after the Gaza ceasefire deal came into force after initial delays on Sunday.

The three released hostages were identified as Romi Gonen, 24; Doron Steinbrecher, 31; and Emily Damari, 28.

They were held by Hamas for 471 days.

According to reports, 33 hostages, included the three released on Sunday, will be freed by Hamas during the initial 42-day truce.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the start on Sunday of the ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, as UN humanitarian convoys brought in urgently needed food aid to begin pulling the war-ravaged territory back from starvation.

“We stand ready to support this implementation and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief to the countless Palestinians who continue to suffer,” the UN chief said in a social media post. 

He added: “It is imperative that this ceasefire removes the significant security and political obstacles to delivering aid.”

According to news reports, three Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released and transferred by the Red Cross back to Israel, as the first phase of the ceasefire deal took effect.

Reports suggest that later on Sunday, Israel is expected to release some 90 Palestinian prisoners. 

Brokered last week by the Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the three-phase ceasefire comes 15 months after Hamas militants attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.

Some 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken as hostages, with around 100 still being held.

Israel launched the military campaign following the Hamas-led attacks on its territory. 

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health authorities.