Hamas releases eight other hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire agreement

The Israeli Army announced that eight hostages, including three Israelis and five Thai citizens, were released Thursday as part of the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Israel and Hamas, envisioned with the ceasefire agreement to end the 15-month war in Gaza.

Israeli soldier Agam Berger was handed over to the Red Cross at the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza, where she moved to Israel, where she joined her parents.

We thank God for this moment and that our hero Agamem returned to us after 482 days at enemy hands”, Said Private Berger's family through a statement. “Now Agami and our family will begin the healing process, but recovery will not be complete without the return of all hostages to home”.

After several hours, the Red Cross convoy went through a crowd and a chaotic scene in the southern town of Khan Yunis as it handed over two other Israeli hostages as well as Thai citizens.

Their release was delayed after armed militants had difficulty holding up the crowds of Palestinians who had surrounded the Red Cross vehicles. The hostages were then able to pass through the crowd, surrounded by armed men.

“I'm looking at shocking images when releasing our hostages”, declared Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyyah through a statement issued by his office shortly after the completion of the exchange. He said he did. “requires brokers to ensure that such terrible scenes do not occur again and that the safety of hostages is guaranteed”.

The Israeli army confirmed that the hostage group had crossed into Israeli territory. The freed hostages were identified as Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Moses and Thai citizens such as Thenna Pongsak, Satian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawalt and Rumnao Surasak.

The army announced that the Israelites would join their families, while Thai government officials would meet with their citizens.

During the day, under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to release 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 sentenced to life imprisonment for bloody attacks on the Israelites.

Under the ceasefire agreement, over 43,000 Palestinians have returned to the northern part of Gaza over the past three days. They were among those displaced under Israeli military orders at the beginning of the war in October 2023. However, their return was accompanied by mixed feelings, since almost everyone has relatives or friends killed during the war, and many of the neighborhoods in this part of Gaza have been destroyed during the fighting.

So far, seven hostages being held by militants in Gaza have been released in exchange for 300 Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel.

Hamas is expected to release three more hostages Saturday, while Israel's dozens of other Palestinian prisoners.

The first phase of the ceasefire lasts 42 days and a quarter of it has already passed. During this phase, the release of 33 hostages currently held in Gaza is envisioned, as well as holding negotiations to discuss details of the second phase, including the release of other hostages, the outcome of the conflict and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

These negotiations are expected to begin next week.

US envoy for the Middle East Steve Whitoff met with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday to underline American support for the ceasefire.

Witkoff, who played a key role in reaching the six-week ceasefire agreement, also visited the Netzarim Corridor, a 6km-wide territory dividing the Gaza Strip in two, where American security contractors help oversee the return of displaced Palestinians.

Witkoff is the top American official to visit Gaza after many years. American officials have avoided visiting Gaza, a section of territory along the Mediterranean Sea because of Washington's security and policy that prohibits contacts with Hamas, the militant group that the American government has declared a terrorist organisation.

Netanyah will travel to Washington this week. US President Donald Trump invited him for talks at the White House on Tuesday. This will also be Mr. Trump's first meeting with a foreign leader in this second presidential term.

Meanwhile, during the ceasefire in Gaza, Israel has increased military operations in the occupied West Coast. Defence Minister Israel Katz said during a visit to Jenny on Wednesday that Israel has “declared war on Palestinian terrorism” West Coast.

“The refugee camp in Jennyn will never return to its previous state” He declared. After the end of the operation, the Israeli Army will remain here to ensure terrorism does not return”.

The Gaza war began with Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7th of 1923 against Israel, which killed 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 hostages.

Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza caused the death of at least 47,400 people, most of whom women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The Israeli ministry says that figure includes 17,000 militants. /voa