TEL AVIV, November 23. /TASS/. The release of hostages held by the radical Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip is a complex process that will take place in several stages, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

"This is a complex process that will take time and continue in several stages. Our guiding principle was and remains to update the families of the hostages first, and then update the public. The coming days will include moments of pain, and moments of joy, and may include attempts at psychological terror," the Jerusalem Post quoted the spokesman as saying.

Earlier, Israel's National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said that the process of releasing some of the hostages held in Gaza would not begin until November 24. The Israeli government approved a plan to return at least 50 hostages from Gaza within four days, during which a ceasefire will be imposed in the enclave. On the morning of November 22, the Israeli Justice Ministry published a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners who could be released as part of the deal. For the release of ten more hostages, Israel will cease hostilities for one day.

According to Israeli authorities, Hamas is holding a total of 240 to 250 hostages. Most are Israeli citizens, including some people with dual citizenship who also hold passports of Germany, the US and other countries. About 35 are foreigners who are not Israeli citizens, most of them are Thai nationals who worked in the country.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.