A Red Cross convoy is on its way to pick up the first batch of Israeli hostages to be freed by Hamas as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, as per the Israeli military, AFP reports.

An army statement said the handover would take place at “a meeting point in the northern Gaza Strip where several hostages will be transferred”.

“The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later on,” it added.