Lucy Williamson

Earlier, Hamas confirmed its intention to carry out the agreement, including, it said, the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timetable. That timetable dictates that three more Israeli hostages should be released this Saturday. Israel has also now signalled that it will not break the ceasefire and return to war. if Hamas does release three living hostages by midday that day.

Earlier, Hamas confirmed its intention to carry out the agreement, including, it said, the exchange of prisoners according to the specified timetable. That timetable dictates that three more Israeli hostages should be released this Saturday. Israel has also now signalled that it will not break the ceasefire and return to war. if Hamas does release three living hostages by midday that day.

Israel's defense minister had earlier warned that any resumption of the war in Gaza would be of a new and different intensity and would not end until Hamas had been defeated. There had also been confusion about whether Israel had changed its demands regarding the number of hostages due for release after President Trump's comments.

Israel's defense minister had earlier warned that any resumption of the war in Gaza would be of a new and different intensity and would not end until Hamas had been defeated. There had also been confusion about whether Israel had changed its demands regarding the number of hostages due for release after President Trump's comments.

The crisis was sparked after Hamas suggested it might postpone the next release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the deal by not allowing enough tents or aid into Gaza and firing on civilians.

The crisis was sparked after Hamas suggested it might postpone the next release of hostages, accusing Israel of violating the deal by not allowing enough tents or aid into Gaza and firing on civilians.

What had been dismissed as off-the-cuff remarks by the new US president last week appear to have evolved into concrete goals of forced relocation and a new American presence in the region. There's scepticism over whether Mr Trump fully intends to pursue the plan he set out, but the Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, was clear.

What had been dismissed as off-the-cuff remarks by the new US president last week appear to have evolved into concrete goals of forced relocation and a new American presence in the region. There's scepticism over whether Mr Trump fully intends to pursue the plan he set out, but the Palestinian representative to the UN, Riyad Mansour, was clear.

Any question over the presence of Palestinians in Gaza touches sensitive nerves. Many Gazans already identify as refugees from towns and villages now in Israel, and promises of a future Palestinian state have stalled. Donald Trump's comments have delighted Israel's government and the far-right nationalists it relies on.

Any question over the presence of Palestinians in Gaza touches sensitive nerves. Many Gazans already identify as refugees from towns and villages now in Israel, and promises of a future Palestinian state have stalled. Donald Trump's comments have delighted Israel's government and the far-right nationalists it relies on.

some of whom want to see Israeli settlements re-established in Gaza in the wake of the war. Gideon Saar is the Israeli foreign minister.

some of whom want to see Israeli settlements re-established in Gaza in the wake of the war. Gideon Saar is the Israeli foreign minister.

More than half a million Gazans have so far returned to northern areas devastated by the war, searching for past lives in the rubble and looking at a future where the visions of a US president meet the realities of the Middle East.

More than half a million Gazans have so far returned to northern areas devastated by the war, searching for past lives in the rubble and looking at a future where the visions of a US president meet the realities of the Middle East.

released from captivity into chaos. Two Israeli hostages bundled through the surging crowd. 80-year-old Gadi Moses and 20-year-old Abel Yehud, released along with five Thai farm workers in Khan Yunis today. After 15 months in captivity, their short walk to freedom, brutally public, painfully long.

released from captivity into chaos. Two Israeli hostages bundled through the surging crowd. 80-year-old Gadi Moses and 20-year-old Abel Yehud, released along with five Thai farm workers in Khan Yunis today. After 15 months in captivity, their short walk to freedom, brutally public, painfully long.

In northern Gaza, a separate ceremony for kidnapped soldier Agam Berger, highly controlled and choreographed. Graffiti mocking Israel's military units decorating the stage. The rubble of Jabalia refugee camp, draped in Palestinian flags. Her release was broadcast live on television back in Israel, watched by her childhood friends, among them Bahen.

In northern Gaza, a separate ceremony for kidnapped soldier Agam Berger, highly controlled and choreographed. Graffiti mocking Israel's military units decorating the stage. The rubble of Jabalia refugee camp, draped in Palestinian flags. Her release was broadcast live on television back in Israel, watched by her childhood friends, among them Bahen.

Each exchange, each reunion, bringing a family together. But also bringing Israel and Hamas closer to negotiations over how to extend this ceasefire deal and the conflicts over Gaza's future that's likely to involve.

Each exchange, each reunion, bringing a family together. But also bringing Israel and Hamas closer to negotiations over how to extend this ceasefire deal and the conflicts over Gaza's future that's likely to involve.