Crowds gather ahead of latest prisoner swap as part of Gaza ceasefire

Four female Israeli soldiers are to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal (Maya Alleruzzo/AP)

Crowds began to gather in Tel Aviv and Gaza City on Saturday ahead of the expected swap between Israel and Hamas of more hostages for Palestinian prisoners, the second such exchange since a ceasefire began in the Gaza Strip last weekend and another test for the deal.

The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and the militant group.