WATCH: Ambassador Ilan Fluss explains the status of Israel-Hamas ceasefire

Displaced Palestinians return to their homes in the northern Gaza Strip, following Israel's decision to allow thousands of them to go back for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Abed Hajjar)

The Israeli ambassador to the Philippines explains that the ceasefire, which was agreed upon on January 19th, will be implemented in three stages. The first stage covers six weeks, where Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages while Israel will release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

“We’re looking forward to see the rest of the hostages reunite with their parents, with their families, and with their friends. Israel cherishes and sees value in life and in human beings,” said Fluss, adding, “We hope and pray for a peaceful resolution and an end to this conflict.”

On Monday, the Associated Press (AP) reported that eight of the 33 hostages who were to be released in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire have already died.

Israel cites Hamas as stating that the remaining 25 are alive. The next release of hostages is scheduled for Thursday, followed by another batch on Saturday.

“The ceasefire is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas and securing the release of dozens of hostages captured in the militants’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack, which triggered the fighting,” the AP report says.

As the Israel-Hamas truce is holding, Israel on Monday began allowing thousands of Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time in 15 months.