It is believed that at least two of the six American hostages still held in Gaza are alive — Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, who grew up in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and Edan Alexander, 19, from Tenafly, New Jersey. Four other Americans are believed to have been killed in captivity.

We are a military that is very proud to implement the [government’s] policy, to implement the decision to return the hostages, and we will be just as proud to return and fight,” Halevi

An Israeli American was among the latest batch of hostages released from Gaza during the temporary ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to officials. Hamas freed three hostages on Saturday,

Kidnapped Israeli soldier Agam Berger was released by Hamas, the first of three hostages due to be freed in Gaza on Thursday in connection with a weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and the militant group.

Hamas is set to free three more Israeli hostages as well as five Thai captives, and Israel is to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners

Israeli women and an 80-year-old male hostage, along with 5 Thai nationals, were released in Gaza, but Israel delayed its part of the exchange, accusing Hamas of "shocking scenes" at one handover.