A video shared by the al-Qassam Brigades – Hamas’s military wing – showed two the release of two hostages.

US nationals Judith Raanan and her daughter Natalie had been among about 200 people abducted during Hamas’s deadly raid on Israel.

Workers wearing International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) uniforms were seen accompanying the freed hostages.

Natalie’s uncle, Avi Zamir, said the family were “extremely joyful” and US President Joe Biden said he was overjoyed at their release – confirming he had spoken with the Raanans on the phone.

Egyptian trucks have unloaded humanitarian aid and returned to the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with Gaza, according to a CNN stringer on the ground.

The Rafah crossing was briefly opened on Saturday morning to allow the first convoy of aid trucks to enter the besieged Gaza Strip.

Humanitarian aid had been stuck in Egypt for days with Gaza plunged into a worsening crisis. The enclave is fast running out of food, water, fuel and medical supplies – all while being pounded by relentless airstrikes.