RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — Israel on Saturday released a total of 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages held in Gaza as the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas continued to gain traction after nearly two weeks.

Hamas militants released three male hostages being held in the Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel began releasing 183 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, part of a ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of intense fighting.

Shortly afterwards Israel began releasing a group of Palestinian prisoners as part of the ceasefire deal that has halted 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip. A bus departed Ofer Military Prison with some 32 prisoners for the West Bank.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas freed three Israelis and five Thai nationals in exchange for more than 100 Palestinians. But the militant group struggled to control crowds, prompting a delay.

Hamas has released eight hostages five Thai farm workers and three dual German-Israeli nationals. That's in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Hamas-led militants have freed three more hostages from the Gaza Strip after more than 15 months in captivity.

Dozens of the prisoners, who were freed on Saturday as part of a cease-fire and hostage deal, had been serving life sentences in Israeli jails for attacks against Israelis.

There are new concerns over the stability of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas after scuffles erupted during the release of Israeli hostages.

Israel received the list of the next hostages set to be released in Gaza. Oakland University professor Peter Trumbore joined CBS News Detroit to weigh in on the exchange.