Hamas Frees Eight More Hostages Handover, Israel Delays Prisoner Release

Hamas released eight more hostages on Thursday as part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, but the chaotic and tense handover ignited new tensions, forcing Israel to temporarily pause the release of Palestinian prisoners. The event, marked by masked militants pushing hostages through a rowdy crowd, led to protests from Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel would hold off on releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners as initially planned, demanding guarantees for the safe and orderly release of hostages in future handovers. Following assurances from international mediators, Israel proceeded with the scheduled releases.

The first hostage to be freed, 20-year-old Israeli soldier Agam Berger, was shown being paraded before a smaller crowd in the devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. A few hours later, the handover of seven additional hostages occurred in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, where hundreds of militants arrived with a convoy and thousands gathered to watch. Some even stood on damaged rooftops to witness the event.

Among the freed were Arbel Yehoud, 29, who was seen looking distressed as masked militants maneuvered her through the crowd, as well as 80-year-old Israeli man Gadi Moses and five Thai laborers: Watchara Sriaoun, 33; Pongsak Tanna, 36; Sathian Suwankam, 35; Bannawat Seathao, 27; and Surasak Lamnau, 32.

The hostages were among those abducted during Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing war. Several Thai nationals were also among the hostages, with 23 Thais having been released earlier in the ceasefire. Israel confirmed that three Thais are still in captivity, with two presumed dead.

Yehoud’s release had been contentious earlier in the week, but after intervention by U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators, it was agreed that she would be freed alongside the others. Yehoud’s friends and family watched the emotional scene unfold live on television, their relief turning to tears when she was handed over to the Red Cross.