Hamas has been using hostage release operations to rebuild its forces and map territory within Gaza, Israeli sources have told The Telegraph.

The terror group is deploying more soldiers at each successive handover and conducting reconnaissance with drones that film the ceremonies.

US and Israeli officials have expressed outrage at the procession of captives through vast crowds, flanked by gunmen in masks and green bandanas, before they are handed over to the Red Cross.

On Saturday, Hamas freed three hostages: Israeli Yarden Bibas, 35, American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65, and French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54.

On Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, flew to Washington to meet Donald Trump, the US president, to discuss the next phase of the ceasefire deal, which could lead to Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Mr Netanyahu is seeking the White House’s endorsement for his vision of the next phase of the war, Axios, a US news website, reported.