Eight additional hostages were released by Hamas militants on Thursday, January 30, in a tumultuous event that momentarily postponed Israel's release of 110 Palestinian prisoners, highlighting the delicate nature of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip established earlier this month.
This exchange of hostages for prisoners is a crucial element of the ceasefire agreement designed to conclude the conflict that erupted following the abduction of numerous Israelis by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Hamas confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, the leader of its military wing and one of the alleged architects of the October 7 assault, six months after Israel claimed he was killed in a Gaza airstrike.
The hostages released included three Israelis and five Thai nationals, who had been taken captive over 15 months ago while working on farms in southern Israel.
Among the Palestinian prisoners released were 30 individuals serving life sentences for lethal attacks against Israelis; seven were permitted to return to the occupied West Bank, while the remainder was being transferred to Egypt for further deportation.
The prisoner release followed a chaotic handover in the Gaza Strip, where masked militants navigated some captives through a throng of thousands of Palestinians.
Hamas released seven hostages in front of the destroyed residence of its deceased leader, Yahya Sinwar, as a large crowd gathered.
The first hostage, 20-year-old female soldier Agam Berger, was released after being displayed before a smaller audience in the heavily damaged Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza, with further disorder occurring during the handover of the remaining seven in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Footage captured Arbel Yehoud, 29, appearing bewildered as masked militants escorted her through a chaotic crowd, forcefully pushing bystanders aside.
Alongside her, Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old Israeli, and five Thai laborers were also released.
Both Yehoud and Moses hold dual German-Israeli citizenship.
Prime Minister Netanyahu denounced the "shocking scenes" and urged international mediators to prioritize the safety of hostages in future negotiations.
The Thai hostages released were identified as Watchara Sriaoun, 33; Pongsak Thaenna, 36; Sathian Suwannakham, 35; Surasak Rumnao, 32; and Bannawat Saethao, 27, with Thai officials reporting that they appeared to be in good health.
During a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023, twenty-three Thais were among over 100 hostages released.
Israel has said that three Thais remain in captivity, with two believed to be deceased.