The News
Three Israeli and five Thai citizens who had been held captive in Gaza for 15 months were handed over to the Red Cross Thursday as the fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal continued to hold, with some 110 Palestinian prisoners also set to be freed.
Following the “chaotic” release of several of the hostages in the city of Khan Younis Thursday, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office briefly delayed the prisoner release, saying mediators must secure commitments from Hamas to ensure the safe return of hostages in future exchanges, The New York Times reported. The Hamas Prisoners’ Media Office said the release was set to occur later on Thursday, following conversations with mediators, NBC reported.
A 20-year-old Israeli soldier, Agam Berger, was released in northern Gaza by Hamas fighters earlier in the day in a brief ceremony.
The Palestinian prisoners and detainees set for release by Israel reportedly include more than 30 children.
There had been some dispute over the final female hostage to be released, Arbel Yehoud, who was being held by members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, a different militant group, with both sides accusing each other of not sticking to the terms of the agreement.