Hamas-led militants released three male Israelli hostages Saturday and Israeli forces began releasing hundreds of prisoners in return, in the latest indication that a fragile ceasefire that has paused fighting in the Gaza Strip but had teetered in recent days is holding.

The comments by Israeli army chief came after Hamas released three hostages earlier in the day, despite earlier warnings that it may withhold the release owing to an alleged ceasefire violation by the

Three Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza by Palestinian militants on Saturday, in the sixth exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire deal that came into effect last month.