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.

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Hamas on Friday published the names of four hostages it said it would release the following day as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

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.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the most heavily destroyed part of the Gaza Strip on Monday as Israel lifted its closure.

In the Shuafat refugee camp, a hardscrabble district in east Jerusalem surrounded by a concrete wall, cars inched their way toward an Israeli checkpoint.