Israeli media reported on Sunday evening that the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas will begin in two phases at 8:00 AM this Monday.

The Israeli army radio quoted sources saying, “The families of the abductees were informed that the first phase of releasing the captives from two different points in the Gaza Strip is expected at 8:00 AM. Shortly after, another phase from a third location is expected.”

Israel Hayom newspaper stated that the families of the Israeli prisoners held in Gaza were informed that the first batch of releases is expected to take place at 8:00 AM.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper: “The Red Cross met with the hostages and reported that some of them are in critical condition – hours before their release from Hamas custody, which will begin tomorrow morning.”

The newspaper also noted that families were asked to arrive at the reception area in the Re’im camp by 7:30 AM, and the Israeli army is ready to move to hand them over within an hour of their call.

Israeli sources mentioned that the army has placed special units on alert in preparation for the release of Israeli prisoners in Gaza, and the Israeli Prison Service has received orders to release Palestinian prisoners.

Yedioth Ahronoth wrote that the Israeli Prison Service received orders to release Palestinian security prisoners as part of the exchange deal, and authorities have started transferring prisoners from five Israeli prisons to the facilities designated for their release.

The Israeli Walla website quoted informed sources saying the final list of Palestinian prisoners includes 195 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, adding that the Shin Bet vetoed about 100 names and excluded 25 prominent leaders.

The Israeli Ministry of Justice published on Friday the names of prisoners with life sentences scheduled for release, while Palestinian prisoner organizations have not issued any list of names as of this writing.

The exchange deal includes the release of about 250 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and about 1,700 prisoners from Gaza who were detained after October 7, 2023.