Among them, 150 arrived in Gaza while 32 got off a bus in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where they were greeted by large crowds.

In Israel, crowds gathered at the location in Tel Aviv known as Hostage Square to watch the release in the morning of the Israeli hostages on giant outdoor screens, mixing cheers and applause with tears as the three men appeared.

Israeli captive Yarden Bibas was one of three hostages released to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza. Source: Getty / Andalou

Kalderon, whose two children Erez and Sahar were released in the first hostage exchange in November 2023, and Bibas both briefly mounted a stage in Khan Younis, in front of a poster of Hamas figures including Mohammad Deif, the former military commander whose death was only confirmed by Hamas this week, before being handed over to the Red Cross officials.

But it was once again an occasion for a show of force by uniformed Hamas fighters who paraded in the area where the handovers took place in a sign of their re-established dominance in the strip despite the heavy losses suffered in the war.

Large crowds welcomed 32 Palestinians, who were released from Israeli jails on Saturday, back to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Source: Getty / Anadolu

Negotiations continue on release of remaining hostages, Israeli withdrawal

During the first phase of the ceasefire, 33 children, women and older male hostages as well as sick and injured, were due to be released, with more than 60 men of military age left for a second phase which must still be worked out.