As part of the ceasefire deal in the Gaza strip, the Islamic group Hamas released three more hostages on Saturday.

Under the six-week ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, Hamas is scheduled to release 33 Israeli hostages in phases.

With the release of the three men detained by Hamas, a total of 13 Israeli captives have been freed so far.

In exchange, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners.

Also as part of the deal, the first group of injured and sick people in Gaza used the Rafah border crossing to Egypt.

The Israeli military had closed the crossing in May last year.

Qatar-based broadcaster Al-Jazeera reported that ambulances carried 50 injured and sick people into Egypt on Saturday for medical attention.

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 14,000 people in Gaza still require medical attention.

The WHO is calling for a rapid increase in medical evacuations from Gaza.