Hamas militants have released four female Israeli soldiers they held captive for 15 months for 200 Palestinian prisoners or detainees in Israel.

The hostages were released in a staged handover that saw them surrounded by Hamas gunmen and crowds of civilians.

The Israeli government says its military will not withdraw from Lebanon by Sunday’s deadline, in violation of a ceasefire agreement that ended months of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel was expected to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon as part of the deal but the Israeli government said some its forces would remain in southern Lebanon,

The Israeli military will not complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon within the 60-day period set out in the ceasefire deal that ended its war with Hezbollah, the Israeli prime minister's office said Friday.

The Israeli military has set up roadblocks across border towns and roads in a strategic valley in southern Lebanon.