Gal Gilboa-Dalal and Ilay David, the older brothers of a pair of friends who have been held captive by the terror group Hamas for over 500 days, refuse to give up hope that their loved ones will return home.

Two men living in New York City say Saturday marked the first signs of life for their loved ones, who are Israeli hostages being held in captivity by Hamas.

GAZA CITY - Hamas published a video showing two Israelis still held captive in Gaza watching the Feb 22 ceremony in which the militants released six hostages in accordance with a ceasefire deal with Israel.

Hamas will not hold talks with Israel through mediators on any further steps in the fragile, phased ceasefire agreement unless Palestinian prisoners are released as agreed, group official Basem Naim told Reuters on Sunday.

Hundreds of Palestinians supposed to be freed on Saturday are still in prison, which Hamas called a blatant breach of the Gaza cease-fire deal.

Hamas released six living hostages on Saturday in separate locations of the Gaza Strip. Hours later, Israel said it would delay releasing Palestinian prisoners

Israel has delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners indefinitely, in response to “humiliating” ceremonies choreographed by Hamas as it returns Israeli hostages.