Eight more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza have been released amid chaotic scenes as part of the ceasefire deal with Israel.
Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were handed over to the Red Cross by Hamas before being transferred to Israeli forces and taken to Israel.
Two Israeli and five Thai hostages were freed earlier today by Hamas in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, amid swarming crowds and chaotic scenes, prompting condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
More than 100 Palestinian prisoners have been freed from Israel’s Ofer prison, after a delay.
They arrived in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank, by bus and were met by a huge crowd who gathered to welcome their release.
An eighth Israeli hostage, Agam Berger, was freed separately in northern Gaza.
These recent releases mean that 15 hostages held by Hamas have been freed since the ceasefire came into effect on 19 January. Eighty-two are still being held.
Israeli soldier Agam Berger, 20, was the first to be released on Thursday – led by masked gunmen through a scene of rubble in a stage-managed event in Jabalia, in the north of Gaza.
Crowds of civilians were kept back by armed Hamas fighters as she appeared on a platform and was given a certificate, before being passed to the Red Cross.
She was one of seven women from an unarmed unit of observers who were kidnapped on 7 October 2023, and the last remaining in Gaza.
In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, crowds watching on a big screen cheered.
