Hamas releases additional Israeli hostages under ceasefire deal

JERUSALEM,— Hamas released three Israeli citizens and five Thai nationals on Thursday, following tense and chaotic scenes during the handover in Gaza. However, Israel delayed the anticipated release of Arabs prisoners after large crowds surged around the captives at one of the handover points.

Among the freed hostages was Arbel Yehud, 29, who had been abducted during the deadly Hamas Islamic State-style attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Yehud, taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz, appeared fearful and struggled to navigate through the crowd as armed militants handed her over to the Red Cross in the southern city of Khan Younis.

Also released was Gadi Moses, 80, along with five Thai workers employed on Israeli farms near Gaza when Hamas militants breached the border fence, the Israeli military confirmed.

Wiwwaro Sriaoun, 53, watched anxiously from her home in Udon Thani, Thailand, as the video feed showed a vehicle slowly making its way through the crowd. “Please, let my son walk out now, I want to see his face,” she said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the chaotic handover, calling the scenes of captives surrounded by crowds disturbing. He warned of severe consequences for anyone harming hostages and urged mediators to prevent such incidents in the future.

The release of prisoners from Gaza and West Bank had been expected, with 110 prisoners scheduled to be freed Thursday as part of an agreement that had halted fighting earlier this month. However, a source involved in the operation revealed that buses carrying detainees were ordered to return to prisons after the chaotic handover.

In northern Gaza, another Israeli hostage, Agam Berger, was released in Jabalia. Wearing an olive-green uniform, she was escorted through a narrow alley lined with rubble and handed to the Red Cross.

A statement from Berger’s family expressed relief, saying, “Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave.” The statement also emphasized that their healing would not be complete until all hostages returned home.

A video released by Netanyahu’s office showed Berger crying and smiling while sitting on her mother’s lap.

Netanyahu has faced domestic criticism for not securing a hostage deal earlier, following the October 7 attack.

Despite the heavy military bombardment Israel has inflicted on Gaza, Hamas retains a significant presence. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri, commenting on the death of Hamas leader Yahya Al-Sinwar, said, “The killing of leaders only makes the people stronger and more stubborn.”

The October 7 Hamas attack killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and led to the abduction of more than 250 hostages.

Israel’s military response has killed over 15,000 Hamas militants and caused widespread destruction in Gaza. With 2.3 million people living in the enclave, Gaza faces dire shortages of medicine, fuel, and food. Israel still lists 82 people as captives, with around 30 others declared dead in absentia.

(With files from Reuters)