Hamas-led militants are set to release three male hostages from the Gaza Strip on Saturday, in return for the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of a fragile ceasefire with Israel that has halted more than a year of intense fighting and has so far seen 15 hostages and hundreds of prisoners freed.

Israel has begun releasing a group of Palestinian prisoners after Hamas freed three hostages as part of the ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai nationals in exchange for more than 100 Palestinians. But the militant group struggled to control crowds, prompting a delay.