Israel confirms that two elderly women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, have been released by Hamas but their husbands are still being held.
Ms Lifshitz’s daughter says she remains focused on securing the release of her father and the other hostages who remain in Gaza.
It brings the total number of hostages released by Hamas to four. Two American-Israelis, mother and daughter Judith and Natalie Raanan, were released on Friday.
Earlier, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the blast at Gaza’s Al Ahli hospital last week was likely caused by a missile fired from within Gaza.
Read: 2 American Hostages Released by Hamas
Hamas blamed the incident on an Israeli strike, but Israel said a misfiring Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket from within Gaza was responsible.
The Hamas-run health ministry said the blast killed 471 people while Israel put the figure at “several dozen”.
More than 1,400 Israelis were killed when Hamas attacked communities near Gaza on 7 October, shooting civilians dead in their homes, in the streets and at a music festival.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 5,000 people have been killed since Israel began bombing the territory in response, flattening entire neighbourhoods.
In its latest estimate, Israel says that more than 200 hostages are being held by Hamas after its surprise attack on Israel on 7 October.
By BBC
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