Hamas releases eight hostages from Gaza
The militant group has released additional hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
On Thursday, three Israelis and five Thai nationals were transferred to the Red Cross as part of a ceasefire agreement. Hamas released eight hostages from Gaza, which included the three Israelis and five Thais. In return, Israel initiated the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners after a brief delay.
Israel's military confirmed that the released captives, including Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Moshe Mozes, 80, had safely crossed into Israel. Earlier that day, Hamas militants also freed Israeli female soldier Agam Berger, who had been held since the October 7 attack.
According to Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, the Thai citizens who were taken hostage—Thaenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Saethao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak—are expected to return home within 10 days.
The events in Khan Younis on Thursday elicited strong reactions in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized what he referred to as “shocking scenes” during the handover, after television footage depicted gunmen struggling to manage large crowds gathered for the release of the captives.
In response, Netanyahu temporarily paused the release of Palestinian prisoners, insisting that mediators implement measures to prevent similar occurrences and safeguard future hostage transfers.
However, reports later indicated that the release of prisoners resumed once mediators assured the safe exit of hostages moving forward. According to the Associated Press, white buses transporting prisoners left Ofer Prison in the West Bank and arrived in Ramallah. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office confirmed that the process was ongoing, with 30 of those being released identified as minors.
Concurrently, Israel's military announced on Thursday that it had killed 10 Palestinians in an airstrike on a village in the West Bank the previous day, allegedly targeting militants, as reported by AFP.
Al Jazeera noted that drones flew over Gaza on Thursday, distributing leaflets warning against flag-raising, banner displays, or celebratory activities. In the West Bank, Israeli forces reportedly conducted raids on the homes of former prisoners following their release, with many of the freed Palestinian detainees not permitted to remain in the West Bank and likely to be deported to Gaza or Egypt.
This exchange forms part of a ceasefire agreement established between Israel and Hamas earlier this month, aimed at concluding their 15-month conflict that has caused severe devastation in Gaza. Mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the US has structured the deal in three phases. Initially, Hamas is set to release 33 hostages, including children, female soldiers, the wounded, and the sick, in return for an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees.
Future phases will address the release of remaining male civilians and soldiers detained by Hamas, as well as the return of the remains of deceased captives from both sides.
Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and missing persons, shared with Al Jazeera on Thursday that Israel is “currently in the stages of preparations for the continuation of the negotiations” for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
Israel's military confirmed that the released captives, including Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Moshe Mozes, 80, had safely crossed into Israel. Earlier that day, Hamas militants also freed Israeli female soldier Agam Berger, who had been held since the October 7 attack.
According to Thailand’s Foreign Ministry, the Thai citizens who were taken hostage—Thaenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Saethao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak—are expected to return home within 10 days.
The events in Khan Younis on Thursday elicited strong reactions in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized what he referred to as “shocking scenes” during the handover, after television footage depicted gunmen struggling to manage large crowds gathered for the release of the captives.
In response, Netanyahu temporarily paused the release of Palestinian prisoners, insisting that mediators implement measures to prevent similar occurrences and safeguard future hostage transfers.
However, reports later indicated that the release of prisoners resumed once mediators assured the safe exit of hostages moving forward. According to the Associated Press, white buses transporting prisoners left Ofer Prison in the West Bank and arrived in Ramallah. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office confirmed that the process was ongoing, with 30 of those being released identified as minors.
Concurrently, Israel's military announced on Thursday that it had killed 10 Palestinians in an airstrike on a village in the West Bank the previous day, allegedly targeting militants, as reported by AFP.
Al Jazeera noted that drones flew over Gaza on Thursday, distributing leaflets warning against flag-raising, banner displays, or celebratory activities. In the West Bank, Israeli forces reportedly conducted raids on the homes of former prisoners following their release, with many of the freed Palestinian detainees not permitted to remain in the West Bank and likely to be deported to Gaza or Egypt.
This exchange forms part of a ceasefire agreement established between Israel and Hamas earlier this month, aimed at concluding their 15-month conflict that has caused severe devastation in Gaza. Mediation by Qatar, Egypt, and the US has structured the deal in three phases. Initially, Hamas is set to release 33 hostages, including children, female soldiers, the wounded, and the sick, in return for an unspecified number of Palestinian detainees.
Future phases will address the release of remaining male civilians and soldiers detained by Hamas, as well as the return of the remains of deceased captives from both sides.
Gal Hirsch, Israel's coordinator for hostages and missing persons, shared with Al Jazeera on Thursday that Israel is “currently in the stages of preparations for the continuation of the negotiations” for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
