Hamas released three Israeli civilian men it held hostage in Gaza for the past 16 months, and Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners as the tenuous Gaza ceasefire ends its third week.

The withdrawal is part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas in which the sides are supposed to negotiate an extension that would lead to more hostages being freed.

The withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor removes one of Israel’s bargaining chips as it moves toward negotiating a full end to the war.