Hamas has freed three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip and Israel has released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the fourth round of exchanges during the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

The ceasefire in Gaza has seen its smoothest exchange yet of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners along with the reopening of the crucial Rafah crossing.

News that three high-profile hostages are expected to be released has brought excitement and trepidation to Israel on Friday.

The Israeli organization representing families of hostages in Gaza has celebrated the news that three high-profile men will be released next.

Fifteen hostages have been released from more than 15 months of captivity in Gaza over the past two weeks.

As one of the oldest hostages taken by Hamas, Oded Lifshitz would be among the first to be released under a ceasefire deal.

The Palestinian Health Ministry says at least eight people were killed by Israeli military operations in the northern West Bank.

A released hostage in Gaza is fighting to save her boyfriend, who remains in captivity.

Nir Oz is one of more than 20 towns and villages in southern Israel that were ambushed in the sweeping assault by Hamas on Oct. 7.