In a ceremony in the southern town of Khan Younis, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other Palestinian militias handed over the three Israelis to the Red Cross, which then transferred them to their country.

Hundreds of armed militiamen were seen during the operation, which the regional press saw as a show of force after 15 months of war.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Prison Service released 369 Palestinians, 36 of whom were serving life sentences and the rest were jailed during the conflict in the coastal enclave.

The images show a Star of David, one of the symbols of the Jewish people, and the Arabic phrase: We do not forget and we do not forgive, were seen on the uniforms of those released.

The ceasefire was on the verge of collapse last Tuesday when Netanyahu threatened to resume the war on Gaza if Hamas did not release all the prisoners by midday on Saturday.

The right-wing politician said he had ordered the army to concentrate troops in and around the coastal enclave “as soon as possible”.

Israeli media reported that the government’s hardening stance was linked to the support it received from US President Donald Trump during Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington.

So far, the militias have released 19 Israelis and five Thai workers in six batches, who were also captured in the Hamas attack on 7 October.

In return, some 1,000 Palestinians, many of them serving life sentences, have been freed.

mh/mem/rob