Israeli military confirms release of six more hostages in Gaza Strip

Mia Schem was released after 55 days in captivity in Gaza (AP)

Hamas has freed eight Israeli hostages in exchange for the release of more Palestinian prisoners under a last-minute deal to extend their ceasefire in Gaza by another day.

However, any further renewal of the truce, now in its seventh day, could prove more daunting since Hamas is expected to set a higher price for many of the remaining hostages.