Two of the six hostages set for release on Saturday have been handed over to Israeli forces, the IDF confirmed.

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Three more Israeli hostages have been released in Gaza by Hamas. They were handed over to the Red Cross, IDF confirmed. 

Eliya Cohen, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert were seen waving on stage in front of Hamas propaganda, as per the report by Times of Israel.

The fourth hostage that was due to be released, Hisham al-Sayed, will now be freed without a public ceremony later, BBC reported.

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Also read: ‘Death cult’: Netanyahu vows vengeance against Hamas after it ‘parades dead bodies’ of Israeli hostages

In a carefully orchestrated event, masked militants in Rafah, southern Gaza, publicly paraded the hostages before transferring them to Red Cross officials.

Also read: 'Evil violation of truce': Amid outrage, Hamas says Shiri Bibas's remains 'mixed in rubble' of Israeli strike

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"Two hostages are now being escorted by an elite IDF unit and Shin Bet forces on their way back to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation," the IDF said in a statement.

"The IDF spokesperson requests the public to show responsibility and sensitivity and respect the privacy of the returnees. The IDF is prepared to receive additional hostages who are expected to be transferred to the Red Cross later," the statement added.

Also read: Israel confirms receiving Shiri Bibas’ remains in overnight handover by Hamas

Meanwhile, Hamas announced on Saturday that it is prepared to move into the next stage of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The group said that it is willing to conduct a full hostage-prisoner exchange for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, according to Reuters.

(With inputs from agencies)