Israel has delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners without explanation after Hamas released the last six living hostages expected under the ceasefire’s first phase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge for what he described as a “cruel and malicious violation” of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

Hamas has released the names of six living Israeli hostages who the militants plan to release from Gaza this weekend under the terms of the ceasefire deal.

Hamas militants have released the bodies of four more hostages from the Gaza Strip more than 16 months after they were taken captive.

The bodies of the youngest Israelis held hostage by the militant Hamas group have been returned to Israel, dashing the hopes of a nation hoping for a happier ending.

The Israeli military says the remains of two child hostages have been identified but another body released by Hamas was not the boys’ mother.

An Israeli official says the bodies of the youngest and one of the oldest captives seized by Hamas during the attack that ignited the war in Gaza are expected to be returned on Thursday.

A senior Hamas leader says the militant group will release six living Israeli hostages on Saturday and the bodies of four others on Thursday.

Hamas has freed six Israelis in the last scheduled release of live hostages by the militant group under the current stage of a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Hundreds of people gathered in Tel Aviv to mark the first birthday of Kfir Bibas, the youngest Israeli hostage held in Gaza.

The hostages Hamas fighters are holding include Kfir, a 10-month-old baby boy; his 4-year-old brother Ariel; and his parents Yarden and Shiri Bibas.