Six Israeli hostages, including two man held captive in Gaza for at least ten years, have been released by Hamas after days of tensions threatened to scupper a fragile ceasefire with Israel. Later in the day at least 600 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons are expected to be freed in exchange.

The six included three Israeli men seized on Oct. 7, 2023, and two of the hostages had been held by Hamas for around a decade after they entered Gaza on their own.

Two of the captives had been in the hands of Hamas for about 10 years. The rest were taken during the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

More than 10,000 Palestinian detainees remain in Israeli custody as the first phase of the ceasefire deal comes to an end

Israel has released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the latest exchange for Israeli hostages captured by Hamas as the fragile ceasefire hold.

The latest hostage release, to be followed by the freeing of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, is going ahead after tensions mounted over a dispute over another hostage's remains earlier this week.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire deal some hostages held in Gaza will be released in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons

Avera Mengistu, an Ethiopian-born Israeli, was detained in 2014 after crossing into Gaza on his own.