The hostage exchange is the second since the current ceasefire agreement. It is expected that by the end of the first phase of the deal's completion, 33 Israeli hostages will have been freed in exchange for the release of around 1,900 Palestinian detainees.

Four female Israeli soldiers who were taken hostage by Hamas in the terrorist attack on October 7 have been released.

Hamas released four female Israeli hostages on Saturday, in a second round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas which will see around 200 Palestinian soldiers released later today.