As Israel anxiously awaits the possible release of more hostages held by Hamas on Saturday, Niva Wenkert recalls a video of her son Omer half-naked, tied to a truck and being beaten, one of about 250 people abducted by Palestinian militants.

Israel says Alexander Troufanov, Yair Horn and Sagui Dekel-Chen - who were taken in the 7 October attacks - are now back in Israel.

The release of the men, who include an American, was the sixth in a hostage-for-prisoner exchange laid out in a cease-fire deal between Hamas and Israel.

Buses carrying some of the hundreds of Palestinian freed prisoners and detainees, some flashing victory signs as they hung from the windows.

Chen, Russian-Israeli Alexandre Troufanov and Argentinian-Israeli Iair Horn -- on Saturday were released by militant Hamas in exchange for 369 prisoners.

Israel has decried the hostage release ceremony as “despicable and cynical” after one of the captives was forced to hold an hourglass that read “time is running out”. Condemning the spectacle, Isaac Herzog, Israel’s president, said that the country will “do everything in its power” to free the rest of the captives held in Gaza.

The stunt came as the militant group released three Israeli hostages - Iair Horn, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Sasha Troufanov - after 498 days in captivity. The men appeared in better health than three hostages freed last weekend, who were described as emaciated.

Hamas named three more Israeli hostages it will release in a weekend trade for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the latest sign that the shaky Gaza ceasefire deal appears to be holding in spite of a