Khan Younis: Armed members of al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, and al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) movement, were deployed Saturday in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip in preparation to hand over three Israeli hostages.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Palestinian militants from Hamas and the PIJ were expected to deliver the Israeli hostages to the International Committee of Red Cross in Khan Younis. This development marks a significant step in the ongoing negotiations and conflict resolution efforts between the involved parties.

The hostage handover came in the sixth batch of the first phase of the ceasefire, which took effect on Jan. 19. The ceasefire and subsequent exchanges have been part of a broader effort to de-escalate tensions in the region and build towards a more stable peace.

As part of the deal, Israel is set to release 369 Palestinian detainees on Saturday, according to the Hamas-linked Prisoners' Information Office. The office confirmed that among those to be freed are 36 individuals serving life sentences and 333 Gazan detainees taken into Israeli custody after Oct. 7, 2023. This exchange is seen as a crucial component of the ceasefire agreement, aiming to address humanitarian concerns and foster dialogue.