Israel instructed buses carrying Palestinian detainees slated for release under the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas to return to prisons, an official involved in the operation told Reuters on Thursday.

Eight of the remaining hostages set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel are dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson.

The Israeli hostages due to be released in Gaza on Thursday have been named by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office (PMO), which also confirmed that five Thai nationals will be freed.

Tehran confirmed the purchase of Moscow's Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, strengthening the countries' military and political ties.

Israel says an updated list from Hamas "matches Israeli intelligence" - meaning 18 hostages are still to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.

Once the details are received, a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) sets off in vehicles marked with the humanitarian organisation's logo to pick up the hostages in Gaza. Israeli military and medical personnel are also assembled at several different locations,

An Israeli government spokesman, David Mencer, said on Monday that Hamas had provided a list indicating that 25 of the 33 hostages were alive and that eight had been killed. “The list from Hamas matches Israel’s intelligence,” Mr. Mencer added.

Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were freed earlier in what PM Benjamin Netanyahu called "shocking scenes".

Mughrabi, Emily Rose and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Hamas handed over three Israelis and five Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday, but Israel delayed the expected release of Palestinian prisoners after chaotic scenes at one of the handover points,