Another three Israeli hostages released as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal

• 17 hostages are still expected to be released by the end of the current phase. Nine of them are alive, including one American.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in Washington, D.C., while the hostages were released after he extended his visit to the U.S. despite domestic criticism.

Driving the news: The hostages, Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy and Eli Sharabi, were released in a military ceremony held by Hamas.

• The three hostages, who looked gaunt, pale and frail were put on stage and were "interviewed" by a masked Hamas militant who asked them to describe the "good treatment" they received from Hamas while in captivity.
• Only after this display were they handed over to the Red Cross and transferred to Israel.
• 183 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Saturday among them 18 who served life sentences for murdering Israelis

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz wrote on X: "Three more Israeli hostages liberated from Hamas terrorists. They've faced unthinkable horrors. President Trump is relentless in his mission and will not stop until we bring all hostages home!"

State of play: Today's hostage release takes place as the negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal are starting.

• White House envoy Steve Witkoff met on Monday in Washington, D.C., with Netanyahu and discussed his positions for the negotiations of the second phase of the deal.
• Axios reported that during his meetings in D.C., Netanyahu presented a plan for ending the war in Gaza in return for Hamas giving up power and its leaders leaving Gaza.

• On Thursday, Witkoff met in Miami with the prime minister of Qatar, who is the main point of contact with Hamas leadership.

What we're watching: An Israeli delegation will travel to Doha on Saturday to meet Qatari officials and discuss the hostage deal.

• But Israeli officials say the talks will be mostly technical and symbolic because the Israeli security cabinet still hasn't decided on the mandate it is willing to give Israeli negotiators for the second phase of the deal.
• The Israeli cabinet will convene on Monday after Netanyahu returns to Israel.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the White House national security adviser.