The Islamic group Hamas has released four female Israeli soldiers and handed them over to the Red Cross. It's the second batch of prisoners to be swapped between Israel and Hamas.

The handover brings the total number of released Israeli hostages to seven. Israeli officials say the four women were reunited with their families.

Under a six-week ceasefire that began last Sunday, Hamas agreed to release a total of 33 hostages in phases.

In exchange, Israel is set to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israel said about 200 were freed on Saturday.

An Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson said, "Today we salute and embrace them and their families as they reunite just now, after so long. We cannot and will not forget the 90 hostages, including women, children and elderly men, still remain in brutal conditions in Hamas captivity."

The spokesperson also said Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement by failing to release a civilian hostage.

In response, Israel says displaced Palestinians will not be allowed to return to northern Gaza this weekend as scheduled under the agreement.

Media reports say except for Israeli forces opening fire in central Gaza, there have been no major clashes since the ceasefire took effect.