Jamie Whitehead
Live page editor

Image source, Getty Images

Israel and Hamas have completed the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as agreed under stage one of the ceasefire process.

The three Israelis - Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy - were released first, but Hamas' choreography of the release has drawn criticism.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said the country "would not gloss over the shocking scenes", referring to the pictures of their release broadcast around the world.

In front of a large crowd in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, the three men were taken one at a time to a small stage and made to speak to the crowd and Hamas media before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The health and appearance of the three men caused concern, with Ben Ahmi's daughter saying she "barely recognised" her dad.

A spokesman for Hamas said the hostage release was "civilised".

Image source, Reuters

A short while later, the 183 Palestinian prisoners started being freed from Israeli jails.

We saw scenes of joy in Ramallah as families were reunited, in some cases after many years, but once, again, there was concern over the appearance of some.

Mustafa Barghouti, secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, told the BBC that one prisoner, released after 22 years, had lost 35kg (77 pounds) in body weight.

The Palestinian prisoners released include some detainees convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis, but most going back to Gaza were arrested during the war and were held without trial or charge.

In the last hour, the ICRC has said it is "increasingly concerned" about the conditions surrounding the releases of both groups, and urged "all parties... to ensure that future released are dignified and private".

We're bringing our coverage to an end now, but there is plenty more to read across the BBC:

• Hostages freed and prisoners released in latest ceasefire exchange
• Israeli soldier jailed for abusing Palestinian detainees from Gaza
• Trump says Israel will hand over Gaza to US after fighting ends but our international editor Jeremy Bowen says this plan won't happen, but it will have consequences

Another exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is due next weekend.

Image source, EPA

We can now bring you some more details about the condition of the recently released Israeli prisoners.

The head of the general medical division at the ministry of health in Israel has just spoken to Reuters news agency, and says the three men - Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi - "were denied the fundamental human right to live free lives for 491 days".

"This morning we witnessed significant weight loss that represent the severe conditions which they endured by Hamas," Hagar Mizrahi says.

"These scenes presented challenging and complex visuals for the families of the returns from captive, their families of captives and ourselves."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dispatched a delegation to Doha, Qatar, for the ongoing ceasefire talks, Israeli media reports.

An Israeli delegation will leave for Qatar to discuss "technical matters", Haaretz newspaper reports citing a political source.

The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, announced on the 15 January, came into effect days later on 19 January. It is broken down into three phases and we are currently still in the first.

Image source, Reuters

Israel and Hamas have competed the fifth exchange of hostages and prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal which came into force last month.

Here’s a look back at how the day unfolded:

• The day started with three Israeli hostages being freed and bought onto a stage in Gaza in front of a large crowd – they are now back in Israel
• Following the release of hostages, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners - 18 of whom were serving life sentences
• The physical condition of the hostages and Palestinian prisoners has drawn attention. The daughter of one of the hostages said she "barely recognised" her father when he was released, while the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said that seven freed Palestinian prisoners were taken to hospital after arriving in Ramallah

• Gal Hirsch, the coordinator of prisoners and missing persons in the Israeli prime minister's office, said that Israel will respond to "Hamas' repeated violations", referring to concerns about the health of the hostages
• Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the political party Palestinian National Initiative, drew attention to a Palestinian prisoner who had served 22 years and had lost 35kg (77 pounds) during his time being detained
• The International Committee of the Red Cross, which acts as the neutral intermediary in the hostage and prisoner exchange, says it is "increasingly concerned" about the conditions surrounding the release both groups

We've just heard from Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem, who says the release of the three Israeli hostages today was carried out in a "civilised manner consistent with the ethics of the Palestinian people".

Speaking from Gaza City, he tells BBC Arabic that Hamas "remains committed to implementing all aspects of the ceasefire agreement" as long as Israel adheres to it.

Qassem goes on to accuse Israel of "dragging its feet" in implementing the humanitarian relief agreed in the ceasefire deal - which includes 600 lorries of aid being allowed into Gaza every day.

The spokesman says Israel has not brought in heavy machinery to clear rubble, not sent relief supplies for Gaza's health sector, and it has not started repairs on hospitals.

"I feel so happy, overjoyed—my happiness is beyond words."

That's how Khadra al-Daghma, the mother of a recently released Palestinian prisoner, has described the feeling of seeing her son, Ammar Fadel al-Daghma, after 15 years of not seeing him.

According to the Israeli Prison Service he was detained for offences including arson, attempted murder and service to an illegal organisation.

"The entire world feels too small for my joy. I saw my son, and my heart is filled with happiness. I wish the same joy for all mothers and wives, may they all experience this moment, God willing," she told a reporter in Gaza.

"May all prisons be emptied, God willing."

"Of course, my son has changed—he is not the same. He has changed a lot," Daghma said, noting how her son used to be "more beautiful".

She is ultimately happy though that both her son has returned and that the ceasefire deal has held, and says "the deal was good, may God protect them, and may freedom come to all prisoners".

• For context: The BBC works with trusted freelance journalists in Gaza, as Israel does not allow independent access for international journalists

Image source, Getty Images

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which acts as a neutral intermediary in the hostage and prisoner exchange, says it's "increasingly concerned" about the conditions surrounding the release of both groups.

"We strongly urge all parties, including the [ceasefire deal's] mediators, to take responsibility to ensure that future releases are dignified and private," the ICRC says.

"The ceasefire agreement must hold so that more release operations can take place, and more aid can enter Gaza," the humanitarian group adds.

Satellite imagery of northern Gaza shows new temporary structurespublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 8 February

14:53 GMT 8 February

By Paul Brown

Newly released satellite imagery of northern Gaza shows hundreds of temporary structures have appeared in badly damaged areas to accommodate Palestinians in Gaza whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.

The new camps are most evident in Jabalia, which suffered major bombardment throughout the conflict.

Image source, Planet Lab PBC

In the image above we see what appears to be an organised camp in an open patch of land, but also numerous other tents pitched amid the rubble.

Palestinians in Gaza have been returning to the north over the past two weeks as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Image source, Israel Defense Forces

We're seeing pictures now of Israeli hostage Eliyahu Sharabi reuniting with his mother and sister.

As a reminder, he was one of three hostages released by Hamas today as part of the ceasefire deal.

The 52-year-old was taken from Kibbutz Be'eri with his brother, Yossi, whose death has since been confirmed.

His British-born wife Lianne and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were found murdered in their home after Hamas' 7 October attack on Israel.

At the same initial absorption point, you can see Or Levy embrace his parents and siblings.

Image source, Getty Images

We've started seeing pictures showing the five Thai hostages – who were released last week as part of the ceasefire deal – leaving hospital in Israel.

The five Thai nationals were kidnapped on 7 October 2023 during Hamas' attack on Israel. They were working in southern Israel when they were taken.

The five exited the hospital as crowds of supporters lined the pavement outside, waving Israeli and Thai flags. They bowed their heads and waved to the supporters before boarding a bus.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters has just released a statement saying Yulie, Ella, and Natalie - Ohad Ben Ami's daughters - have now spoken with him by phone and are waiting to meet him at Ichilov Hospital.

Ohad Ben Ami was taken from Kibbutz Beeri on 7 October 2023, along with his wife, Raz, who was later released by Hamas.

His daughters shared this message:

"Our father has emerged from the horror, and you can see the trauma he endured written on his face. But we are staying strong for him here, just as he stays strong for us, and soon we'll be able to embrace him. We got our father back. Now we must not stop until the last hostage is returned."

Below, you can see the some of the first images of Ohad being reunited with his wife, Raz, at the initial absorption point in Israel.

Image source, IDF Spokesperson

In a statement, Gal Hirsch, the coordinator of prisoners and missing persons in the Israeli prime minister's office, says that Israel will respond to "Hamas' repeated violations", referring to concerns about the health of the hostages released today.

"The shocking sights we saw today touch the hearts of all of us and join the living and searing memory of October 7, 2023.

"The State of Israel views Hamas' repeated violations with great severity, and the situation of the three abductees who were released this morning with great severity," he says.

Hirsch adds that a message has been shared with mediators facilitating the ceasefire deal.

Relatives and others say that the three hostages appeared thin and gaunt when they were released from captivity this morning.

We've just heard from Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the political party Palestinian National Initiative, who talks about the Palestinian prisoners being released today.

He mention one prisoner who was released today after 22 years and says he lost 35kg during his time in jail. Another prisoner was behind bars for 44 years – the longest any political prisoner has ever served, Barghouti says.

"What we’ve learnt is that this deal should continue until the end. This war should not be happening again," he tells BBC News, adding that he fears Israel might return to war.

"That's the biggest risk we face," he says.

He also says that US President Donald Trump's recent proposal for the US to take over Gaza is the second biggest risk and would amount to ethnic cleansing.

The ceasefire, announced on the 15 January, came into effect days later on 19 January. Since then, there have been four Israeli hostage releases, with the fifth taking place today.

The deal is broken down into three stages:

Stage one

• This is what we are in now, and it lasts for 42 days
• Hamas says it will release 33 hostages, and Israel will free around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners
• Palestinians can return home, and aid will be allowed into the region daily
• Israeli forces must leave populated areas.

Stage two

• Negotiations only began for this after the start of stage one
• It’s expected a permanent ceasefire will be established, and the remaining living hostages will be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners
• Israel will make a full withdrawal from Gaza

Stage three

• The final part will see all the dead bodies of hostages returned to Israel, and the commencement of the reconstruction of Gaza

The Israel Prison Service says that all 183 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed today as part of the ceasefire deal with Hamas have now been released.

Prisoners released from Ofer prison were released to the Judea and Samaria area of East Jerusalem, with those leaving the Ktziot prison being taken to Kerem Shalom.

The statement says prison officers are releasing those held captive "in accordance with political directive... and in full coordination with all security agencies".

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says that seven freed Palestinian prisoners were taken to hospital after arriving in Ramallah earlier today.

"All the prisoners who were released today are in need of medical care, treatment, and examinations as a result of the brutality they were subjected to during the past months. There are seven who were transferred to the hospital," Abdullah al-Zaghari, the head of the organisation, tells AFP news agency.

Today is the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners since Israel and Hamas agreed a ceasefire.

Hamas has freed three men – Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami and Eliyahu Sharabi – handing them over to Red Cross officials in Deir al-Balah, Gaza. They are now back in Israel and will soon be reunited with their families.

Watch how the release unfolded in the clip below.

Speaking to the Times of Israel, Ella Ben Ami, the daughter of released hostage Ohad Ben Ami, says she didn't recognise her father when he was released.

"I barely recognised him," she told the outlet. "It took me a second to realise that it was dad."

Ella adds: "I’m sure we’ll get past that quickly. I simply want to hug him.

"He’s come back on his own two feet. He’s come back alive. He’s waved. He’s strong. He survived it!"

The Hamas-run Prisoners' Media Office says that of the 183 prisoners expected to be released today, 18 had been sentenced to life, 54 had long sentences, and 111 were arrested in Gaza after 7 October 2023.

"This release marks a new milestone in the ongoing struggle to free all prisoners," the statement says.

Before today, at least 383 prisoners had been freed as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which came into force last month.

As we've been reporting, a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners has arrived in Ramallah in the West Bank.

A total of 183 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released today as part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters