Terror group Hamas has released eight hostages in Gaza and Israel has freed 110 Palestinian prisoners in the latest handover as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement.
The handover marked the third round of exchanges in the deal between Israel and Hamas, which is now in its second week, but was delayed earlier by chaotic scenes in the enclave.
The sight of armed fighters escorting Israeli hostages through a crowd of thousands of onlookers caused Israeli leaders to briefly delay the release of the Palestinian prisoners, underscoring the fragility of the current truce.
The eight captives released by Hamas and Islamic Jihad were three Israelis and five Thai nationals, who were freed in two locations around Gaza.
Israeli authorities had criticised the transfer of two hostages, Arbel Yehoud, 29, and 80-year-old Gadi Moses, who had to battle a swarming crowd in Khan Younis — in the strip’s south — to reach a waiting Red Cross convoy.
The country delayed the scheduled release of 110 Palestinian prisoners and detainees in protest, but within hours buses had arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah carrying some of the prisoners.
The prisoners were met by cheering crowds in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, with men chanting “we sacrifice our souls and blood for you”.
The weeks-long truce will see 33 hostages being held in Gaza exchanged for the release of around 1,700 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
The next transfer is expected to take place on Saturday, local time
Ms Yehoud’s release is expected to unlock a key component of the ceasefire, and pave the way for displaced people sheltering in Gaza’s southern areas to return to their communities in the north — or in many cases, what’s left of them.
As part of its ground invasion, Israel’s military had effectively cut the strip in two with forces occupying what the IDF referred to as the Netzarim Corridor.
It meant Palestinians who had fled their homes on one side were blocked from returning.
It had been expected to reopen earlier in the ceasefire, but Israel delayed it until Ms Yehoud — a civilian — was released, accusing Hamas of breaking the deal, by freeing other captives first.
arlier, Hamas handed over Israeli soldier Agam Berger as the prisoner exchange began in northern Gaza’s Jabalia area.
The five Thai farm workers released by Hamas were expected to be taken to hospital inside Israel.
Thailand’s PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra posted on social media after the hostages were released that she was “elated”.
“The Thai Government, including everyone here in Thailand, have long been waiting for this very moment,” her statement read.
