The sources said that while Hamas has successfully recruited new members, many are young and untrained and are being used for simple security purposes.

Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second release to occur as part of the ceasefire agreement that began last weekend. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.

The hostages and 200 prisoners were released in the second swap of the Gaza cease-fire deal, which went into effect this month.

Israel’s longest war has so far failed to destroy its main enemy, Hamas, which, despite suffering devastating losses, is framing the Gaza ceasefire agreement as a victory for itself – and a failure for Israel.

Latest news and live updates as a Gaza ceasefire deal is reached after more than a year of war between Israel and Hamas.

Israel says it has killed thousands of the armed group’s members and destroyed much of its infrastructure, but since the cease-fire started Hamas has shown it still holds power in the enclave.

The group is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel.

After the ceasefire agreement, the 15-month-long war between Israel and Hamas seems to have come to an end, bringing a semblance of peace to West Asia. Following the agreement, Tel Aviv has begun releasing Hamas and Palestinian prisoners,

Trump suggests Jordan, Egypt should absorb more Palestinians, 'clean out' Gaza Strip * IDF tells Gazans not to return to north until 'Hamas breach' of hostage deal is resolved

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, said on Wednesday that he welcomed the potential for “a dialogue” with Hamas and heaped praise on Qatar for helping facilitate the cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza, despite facing scrutiny for previous ties to the Gulf nation.