Hamas releases three Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners

Hamas released three Israeli captives on Saturday, while Israel began releasing some 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in the latest swap under a fragile ceasefire deal.

Flanked by Hamas fighters, the captives - Sagui Dekel-Chen, Alexander Sasha Troufanov and Iair Horn - were led on to a stage at the release site in Khan Younis, according to live footage.

The three captives, speaking briefly to the crowd through a microphone, urged further hostage exchanges under the ongoing ceasefire deal before being driven away in Red Cross vehicles into Israel.

Shortly afterwards, the first bus carrying freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees left Israel's Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank. The bus arrived in Ramallah to a cheering crowd, with some waving Palestinian flags. 

Dressed in traditional keffiyeh scarves, the prisoners were lifted on to the shoulders, embraced by their relatives and then taken for a brief health examination.

Read more: Hamas releases three Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners