GAZA, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The team of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) on Saturday arrived in Rafah city in southern Gaza Strip to receive two Israeli hostages, while other four hostages will be released in central Gaza, Palestinian sources said. Enditem

Palestinian group sets free Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu; 4 more Israelis to be released in Nuseirat, central Gaza - Anadolu Ajansı

This is part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which stipulates that a total of 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees being held in Israeli prisons would be released in return for 33 Israeli hostages. More than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been freed since the first phase of the three-phase deal began on 19 January.

Handover will be ‘in parallel with Israel’s release of delayed batch of Palestinian prisoners,’ Hamas spokesperson tells Anadolu - Anadolu Ajansı

Elijah Cohen, freed in a prisoner exchange, says he narrowly survived a tunnel collapse caused by an Israeli airstrike.

The seventh Israeli prisoner exchange in Gaza today was rich with symbolism, delivering powerful political messages.

Israel faced sharp criticism as it stopped the entry of all food and other supplies into Gaza on Sunday and warned of “additional consequences” for Hamas if a fragile ceasefire isn’t extended. Mediators Egypt and Qatar accused Israel of violating humanitarian law by using starvation as a weapon.

Hamas handed over Israeli captive Hisham Al-Sayed to the Red Cross (ICRC) at a location designated by its armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, east of Gaza City, Al Jazeera reported.

Israel warns of “additional consequences” if Hamas doesn’t accept what Israel says is a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire extension.

Mengistu and Shoham were released in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, while Shem Tov, Wenkert, and Cohen were released from the Nuseirat refugee camp shortly after. Al-Sayed was then released ...