Hamas has transferred three Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, marking the first release under a recently brokered agreement.

The women, who have been in captivity in Gaza since October 7, 2023, include a 24-year-old and a 28-year-old with dual Israeli-British citizenship, as well as a 31-year-old.

According to Qatari officials who mediated the negotiations, another released hostage holds dual Israeli-Romanian citizenship.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that four more female hostages could be freed within a week as part of the ongoing exchange agreement.

Coinciding with the release of the Israeli hostages, Israeli authorities have also released Palestinian prisoners.

The Red Cross received 90 Palestinians from the Ofer Prison near Ramallah, with 13 destined for their homes in East Jerusalem and the remainder traveling to the West Bank.

These prisoners were previously convicted of terrorist activities.

The released hostages include Romi Gonen, 24, who was abducted by Hamas fighters while attempting to flee the Nova music festival and sustained a gunshot wound to her hand.

Emily Damari, 28, was taken from Kfar Aza kibbutz, also suffering injuries to her hand and leg.

Doron Steinbrecher, a 31-year-old veterinary assistant, was kidnapped from Kfar Aza during the assault by Hamas militants 15 months ago.

Israeli medical teams are preparing for the hostages' return, given the uncertainty surrounding their health after an estimated 471 days in captivity, potentially within Hamas tunnels.

The exchange agreement was activated at the onset of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which began on Sunday morning.

During the initial 42-day phase, 33 Israeli hostages are set to be released in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom are serving life sentences for the murder of Israelis.