The hostages are the second set to be released since the multiphase agreement came into effect, raising hopes for a lasting end to the war.

The return of fighters to Gaza streets highlights how Israeli bombardment has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s goal or eradicating Hamas as a political force.

Hamas set to release three Israeli and five Thai nationals from Gaza on Thursday - Three Israelis, including an 80-year-old man and a female Israeli soldier, are among eight due to be returned to Isra

Steven Witkoff, who played an important role in brokering the truce between Israel and Hamas, met with Israel’s prime minister. He was also expected to visit Gaza.

The talks on where to send the released terrorists are reportedly being conducted in full coordination with Jerusalem.

“Gaza, with its great people and its resilience, will rise again to rebuild what the occupation has destroyed and continue on the path of steadfastness until the occupation is defeated,” Hamas said in a statement after the cease-fire.

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel and Hamas were expected to swap more hostages for Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend and another test for the deal.

Israel has begun allowing Palestinians to return to the heavily destroyed north of the Gaza Strip for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas.

The terrorist group has survived the Israeli invasion, continues to recruit and can’t be excluded from any future governance model

But two senior Hamas officials accused Israel of slowing down aid deliveries, with one citing items key to Gaza's recovery such as fuel, tents, heavy machinery and other equipment. "According to the agreement, these materials were supposed to enter during the first week of the ceasefire," one official said.

The joy of thousands of Palestinian families who made it back home in north Gaza after a ceasefire with Israel is turning to despair as the cold reality of uninhabitable, bombed-out homes and dire shortages of basic supplies sets in.