Israel had delayed their release in protest against the way the seven hostages freed by Hamas were treated as they were handed over to Red Cross staff in Khan Younis. View on euronews

The cease-fire has held despite a dispute earlier this week over the sequence in which the hostages were released.

The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel sparked the fighting.