Hamas began handing over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in the latest phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Hamas said it would hand over Ohad Ben-Ami and Eliyahu Sharabi, whom it seized in the Be’eri community during a cross-border attack on 7 October, along with Or Levy, who was seized on the same day.

The Hamas media office added that Israel would release 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in return, including 18 serving life sentences, 54 serving long sentences and 111 arrested in Gaza during the war.