"Today, Israel received four female soldiers from Hamas and will release security prisoners as per the agreement," the statement says.

"However, under the terms of the deal, Gazans will not be permitted to move north until Arbel Yehud, who was scheduled for release today, is freed," it adds.

A Hamas source tells Al Jazeera that civilian hostage Arbel Yehud is alive and will be released next Saturday.

Meanwhile, a Palestinian Islamic Jihad source informs the network that they are holding her, falsely claiming she is a soldier.