US President Donald Trump has indicated that the hostages still held in Gaza are likely to be released Monday or Tuesday.
A detailed plan of how the deal should unfold has not been released, but as things stand, here is what we know about the timing:
Israeli cabinet approval: A ceasefire will begin immediately if the Israeli government approves the first phase of the plan to end the war in Gaza. That decision is expected later today.
An Israeli official told CNN that the security cabinet has begun meeting to vote on the ceasefire agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is then expected to chair a full government meeting to approve it.
What happens next: When the ceasefire begins, Israeli troops will pull back to the agreed lines. The clock will also start ticking on a 24-hour window during which petitions objecting to the deal can be submitted to the Israeli high court.
This window is mandated by Israeli law — although it was shortened during the last ceasefire in January.
Hostage release: Once this objection window closes, a 72-hour countdown for Hamas to release the hostages will begin. According to an official Israeli source, the assumption is that hostages will be released before the 72 hours pass.
Under the plan, all the living hostages — believed to number at least 20 — are set to be released together, without any ceremony. The remains of deceased hostages must also be returned during that period.
This means that if the Israeli government indeed approves the plan on Thursday, the hostages should be back in Israel by Sunday evening or on Monday.