Hamas said it will release Israeli hostages as initially planned after holding “positive” talks with mediators, according to a statement by the militant group on Thursday.

Captors subjected the hostages to physical and psychological torment, according to those recently released under a ceasefire deal.

Hamas has said it is committed to implementing the Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel and will continue releasing hostages as scheduled, raising hopes that a resumption of the war can be averted. Following talks in Cairo, the Palestinian armed group said mediators from Egypt and Qatar had confirmed they would "remove obstacles".