Israel has resumed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners after a delay due to "shocking scenes" of crowds forming at the handover points on Thursday.
Two Red Cross chartered buses carrying dozens of Palestinians have left the Israeli prison in Ofer, in the occupied West Bank, reporters on the ground said.
The Palestinian prisoners should have been released earlier in the day. However, the Israeli Government decided to delay their release after chaotic scenes at the release of hostages.
TV footage showed a crowd forming before three Israeli and five Thai hostages, released by Hamas, reached members of the Red Cross.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had subsequently stated that the 110 Palestinians could not leave the prison until a safe release of the hostages by Hamas was guaranteed. Netanyahu's cabinet reportedly received the necessary guarantees in the meantime.
The exchange of hostages and prisoners is part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement which came into force on 19 January.
This article was updated at 17:08 to include new information.
