The civilian, Arbel Yehud, should have been among the first two groups of hostages released on Jan. 19 and Jan. 25 under the cease-fire deal, according to the Israeli authorities.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians began returning to a ravaged northern Gaza and what was left of their homes and families, after Hamas agreed to release more hostages than expected this week to keep its cease-fire with Israel in place.

Hamas released four female Israeli hostages on Saturday, in a second round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas which also saw around 200 Palestinian prisoners released from detention.