Israeli troops are pulling back from the Rafah crossing located in southern Gaza and transferring control to international forces as they get ready for its reopening scheduled for later on Saturday, according to a report by Israeli Army Radio on Friday.

Earlier in the day, regional news outlets indicated that the border crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to open tomorrow following the release of the fourth group of Israeli hostages and Palestinian security detainees.

"The mediators informed Hamas of Israel's approval to open Rafah crossing tomorrow, Saturday, after the completion of the fourth batch of prisoner exchange," AFP reported citing a Hamas official.