Hamas on Saturday released all six remaining living Israeli hostages promised under the first stage of the ongoing cease-fire deal — as one heartbroken family finally received the remains of a

This is part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which stipulates that a total of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees being held in Israeli prisons would be released in return for 33 Israeli hostages. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed since the first phase of the three-phase deal began on 19 January.

The ceasefire deal has paused the war but is nearing the end of its first phase. Negotiations over a second phase, in which Hamas would release dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, are likely to be even more difficult.

Latest news as six hostages were released as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal but Palestinian detainees and prisoners were not.

Previously, Palestinian fighters freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday, with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released in exchange under a fragile Gaza truce that is nearing the end of its first phase.

Two freed Israeli hostages are now in the custody of the IDF after being released by terror group Hamas as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal to end the war in Gaza.