Israel and Hamas were set to carry out their third hostage-prisoner exchange today, with three Israelis and five Thai captives slated for release as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza conflict, AFP reports.

A fourth exchange is scheduled for the weekend, but Hamas accused Israel on Wednesday of jeopardising the deal by holding up aid deliveries, an allegation Israel dismissed as “fake news”.

The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu identified the three Israelis to be released Thursday as Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger and Gadi Moses, adding that five Thai citizens held in Gaza would also be freed.

In a statement no Wednesday evening, the Moses family said it had “received with great excitement the wonderful news of our beloved Gadi’s return”.

The next swap on Saturday will see three Israeli men released, according to Netanyahu’s office.