Some troops had been expected to withdraw to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans to go home. But the military said the hostage exchange before that step had not gone as agreed.

Two hundred Palestinian prisoners have also been released today by Israel in the latest stage of a ceasefire deal.

The handover of four female Israeli soldiers by Hamas on Saturday came as Israel released 200 prisoners. But a dispute arose over the hostage release timetable.

The fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas was laid bare on Saturday, after Israel accused Hamas of withholding a hostage, prompting a halt in the movement of Gazan civilians back to their homes in the north.

The return of fighters to Gaza streets highlights how Israeli bombardment has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s goal or eradicating Hamas as a political force.

The sources said that while Hamas has successfully recruited new members, many are young and untrained and are being used for simple security purposes.

Four female Israeli soldiers were released by Hamas on Saturday in the second hostage release of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag were handed to the Red Cross in Gaza City. In exchange 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are set to be freed.

Hamas released four hostages and Israel 200 Palestinian prisoners as the latest cease-fire exchange occurred on Saturday.

President Donald Trump said he would like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip, potentially moving out enough of the population to “just clean out” the war-torn area to create a virtual clean slate.

The fragile ceasefire deal has so far held, quieting airstrikes and rockets and allowing for increased aid into Gaza.

President Trump said he had spoken to Jordan’s leader and planned to call Egypt’s. Mr. Trump’s suggestion echoes proposals from far-right Israelis. A Hamas official rejected the idea.