KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — On Thursday, Hamas-affiliated militants announced the release of eight hostages in a tumultuous situation that also saw a brief postponement in the exchange of 110 Palestinian prisoners by Israel. This incident highlighted the instability of a recent ceasefire established in Gaza earlier this month, aimed at curtailing the ongoing conflict, which has been marked as one of the deadliest and most destructive wars between Israel and Hamas.
The release of hostages has become a pivotal component of the ceasefire agreement, which seeks to conclude hostilities that escalated following a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Despite these releases, dozens of captives remain in Hamas custody.
Additionally, on the same day, Hamas confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of its military branch and one of the architects behind the October 7 attack. This announcement came six months after Israel had previously claimed his death from an airstrike in Gaza.
The militants facilitated the release of three Israeli citizens alongside five Thai nationals, who had been working on farms in southern Israel when they were taken hostage over 15 months ago. The Palestinian prisoners that were released included 30 individuals who had been serving life sentences for attacks against Israelis. While seven prisoners were permitted to return to the occupied West Bank, the others were being transported to Egypt prior to further deportation.
Amid these developments, a chaotic scene characterized the hostage handover in Gaza. Masked militants navigated through a frenzy of thousands of Palestinians gathered closely. Seven hostages were freed near the ruined home of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ deceased leader, further complicating ongoing negotiations aimed at maintaining the ceasefire.
The first hostage released was 20-year-old female soldier Agam Berger, who was showcased before a compact audience in the heavily damaged Jabaliya refugee camp. Later, in Khan Younis, the situation escalated as a large crowd observed the handover of the remaining seven hostages. The atmosphere turned tumultuous with hundreds of militants and thousands of spectators, many of whom watched from the wreckage of nearby buildings.
Footage captured during this event revealed Arbel Yehoud, 29, who appeared disoriented as she was hurried through the rambunctious crowd. Alongside her, 80-year-old Gadi Moses and five Thai laborers were also released. Both Yehoud and Moses carry dual German-Israeli nationality, and officials confirmed the Thai hostages appeared to be healthy given the circumstances.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the scene, referring to it as “shocking,” and urged international mediators to safeguard hostages in forthcoming exchanges. The Thai hostages released were identified as Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Rumnao, and Bannawat Saethao.
Yehoud’s release earlier in the week had been contentious, with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators facilitating a resolution that ensured her inclusion in Thursday’s release along with the others. Friends of Yehoud anxiously watched the scene unfold live, with emotional reactions from the crowd as she was delivered to the Red Cross.
The release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody was met with enthusiastic crowds in the West Bank. As the buses departed from the prison, confrontations erupted, leading to injuries among some Palestinians outside the facility. Videos captured the moment as families caught sight of their imprisoned relatives, eliciting emotional responses as they celebrated their release.
In a separate but related development, media outlets interrupted coverage of the prisoner exchange to air a press conference by Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida, who confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif and other key militant figures. This announcement, following initial reports of Deif’s death in an Israeli airstrike last year, ended months of speculation regarding his status.
Hamas affirmed that they will only proceed with the next phase of hostage releases under the condition that fighting ceases and there is a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The initial phase negotiations have so far indicated that Hamas will free 33 Israeli hostages in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The conflict’s backdrop has seen an immense toll, with Hamas’s initial attack resulting in roughly 1,200 casualties, primarily civilians, alongside around 250 abductions. Israel’s military response has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian fatalities, predominantly among women and children, amid accusations from Israel that Hamas operates from civilian areas, complicating military actions.
As hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals attempt to return to their homes, the devastation of neighborhoods remains dire, with humanitarian efforts ongoing amid widespread destruction. The ultimate fate of the ceasefire remains uncertain, with Hamas indicating no hostages will be released without an end to hostilities, reflecting the complexity and fragility of the current situation.
