The three men all appeared thin, weak and pale, and in worse condition than the 18 hostages who had previously been freed under the truce.

The hostages, who were made to give public speeches thanking the Hamas militants who had held them captive, looked frail and gaunt, sparking dismay and outrage in Israel.

A spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas says the group is postponing the next scheduled release of Israeli hostages, blaming what he said were Israeli violations of the ceasefire deal. Three hostages held in Gaza are due to be freed on Saturday in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.