AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti

AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

AP Photo/Oded Balilty

AP Photo/Oded Balilty

AP Photo/Ariel Schalit ( 1 /7)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released seven hostages on Monday, the first to be freed as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the Gaza Strip , killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and left scores of captives in militant hands.

The seven were expected be reunited with their families and undergo medical checks in Israel. Meanwhile, the Red Cross was on its way to point in southern Gaza where it is expected to take custody of second group of living hostages, according to the Israeli military.

Over the course of the day, 20 living hostages are expected to be released, as a

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