The majority of the 90 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Sunday are women, as well as a number of children.

Over the next six weeks, there will be more anxious days.

Around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza are due to be released in the first phase of the deal in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages, including the three women freed by Hamas in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

One of the most high-profile prisoners is Zakaria Zubaidi, the former leader of the armed group al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

The 49-year-old has served time in both Israeli and Palestinian jails for multiple offences, including murder.

He said he carried out a shooting attack in 2002 in which six Israelis were killed.

Zubaidi was also in the news in 2021, when he tunnelled out of an Israeli prison before being recaptured after five days.