The Palestinian militant group Hamas has recruited between 10,000 and 15,000 members since the start of its war with Israel, according to two congressional sources briefed on U.S. intelligence, suggesting the Iran-backed fighters could remain a persistent threat to Israel.

Hamas on Friday announced the names of four Israeli women soldiers to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The Hamas militant group has published the names of four hostages it says it will release the following day as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have publicly claimed credit for pushing the agreement over the line.

Hamas has named four hostages to be released on Saturday under the Gaza ceasefire deal. It says they are soldiers Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag. They will be freed in exchange for 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

The owner of the house, where Israeli forces purportedly killed Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar last year, says his apartment in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah has become a macabre tourist attraction for admirers of the militant leader.

The group is set to release the more than 90 hostages over the coming weeks as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel.

Israel says it has received a list of four female hostages Hamas is due to release on Saturday as part of a ceasefire deal. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said that the list was received through mediators and added that Israel’s response would be provided later.

All four hostages are female Israeli soldiers. They are expected to be released Saturday in accordance with a ceasefire agreement with Israel that's halted fighting in the Gaza war since last weekend.

There were 97 Israeli hostages – civilians and soldiers – listed in captivity when the deal was inked, but only 60 are believed to be alive.

Israel says it has killed thousands of the armed group’s members and destroyed much of its infrastructure, but since the cease-fire started Hamas has shown it still holds power in the enclave.