KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — On Thursday, the release of eight additional hostages by Hamas-affiliated militants from the Gaza Strip was marked by instances of chaos. This event delayed Israel’s plan to release 110 Palestinian prisoners and exposed the tenuous nature of the ceasefire that has been in effect since earlier this month.

The hostages-for-prisoners exchange is a critical component of the ceasefire agreement formulated to conclude one of the most brutal and destructive conflicts in the history of Israel and Hamas. To date, 15 hostages and a considerable number of prisoners have been released, yet militants still retain dozens of individuals captured during their assault on October 7, 2023, which escalated the conflict.

In an additional development on Thursday, Hamas announced the death of Mohammed Deif, the leader of its military division and one of the suspected architects behind the October 7 assault. Israel had claimed six months ago that Deif was killed in an airstrike targeting Gaza.

As images of the released hostages reuniting with their families were broadcasted live, Israelis celebrated. Crowds gathered outside hospitals in downtown Tel Aviv to cheer and express their emotions as ambulances transported the freed individuals.

Earlier in the day, armed, masked militants freed three Israelis, showcasing them to an exuberant crowd before also releasing five Thai nationals who had been working in southern Israel during the deadly attack.

On the other side of the divide, the atmosphere was similarly jubilant. Large groups of Palestinians greeted buses transporting released prisoners in the West Bank city of Ramallah, presenting flower wreaths in the colors of the Palestinian flag and jackets to cover the returning men celebrated by their supporters.

Earlier, confrontations ensued as Palestinians threw stones outside a prison while Israeli forces deployed tear gas to manage the crowd’s unrest.

The chaos during the transfer of hostages was palpable. Hamas militants managed to keep back thousands of enthusiastic Palestinians as they transferred hostages to the Red Cross. Seven hostages were handed over in front of the ravaged home of a slain Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar, a demonstration of their “determination,” though it almost disrupted the third round of swaps of hostages for prisoners this month and sparked further tensions in the fragile ceasefire.

The first hostage to be released was Agam Berger, a female soldier, who was shown to a smaller gathering in the bomb-ravaged Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. Later, during a transfer in Khan Younis, hundreds of militants from Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group arrived to escort the release. Observers captured footage of Arbel Yehoud, 29, appearing dazed as she was hurried through the vast throng by masked militants. Alongside her were Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old man, and the five Thai farm workers, both Yehoud and Moses holding dual German-Israeli citizenship.

The disturbing sight of hostages navigating what seemed to be unfriendly crowds raised alarms in Israel, as citizens felt increasingly connected to the hostages’ plight. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the “shocking scenes,” urging international mediators to guarantee hostages’ safety in future swaps; a commitment he asserts was made.

Israel identified the released Thai individuals as: Watchara Sriaoun, 33; Pongsak Thaenna, 36; Sathian Suwannakham, 35; Surasak Rumnao, 32; and Bannawat Saethao, 27, all appearing to be in good health per Thai officials.

Earlier in the week, Yehoud was at the center of a dispute regarding the order of hostages to be released. Mediators from the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar successfully negotiated her transfer alongside the other hostages on Thursday.

A group of approximately 20 friends and family members of Yehoud watched anxiously as the situation unfolded live on camera, crying with relief when she was finally handed over to the Red Cross.

Moses, stunned and bewildered, embraced his family in a touching reunion as they rushed to his side. His daughter repeatedly exclaimed, “my father!” showcasing the emotional impact of the moment.

In contrast, the released Palestinian prisoners were greeted by enthusiastic crowds of supporters in the West Bank, where many of those released had been convicted of serious crimes against Israelis, including 30 individuals serving life sentences. Seven prisoners returned directly to the West Bank, while the others were being sent to Egypt prior to further deportation,

For many Palestinians, the released prisoners are lauded as heroes, revered for their sacrifices in the struggle against Israel’s prolonged occupation of territories they claim for their future state.

As the Red Cross buses approached, families glimpsed their loved ones through cracked windshields amid the chaos of stone-throwing and tear gas.

Zakaria Zubeidi, a prominent former militant leader and theater director who had a notable escape from prison in 2021 only to be rearrested soon after, was pictured beaming and swarmed with excitement and shouts from the crowds embracing him.

“The treatment in prison was harsh, but these large crowds made us forget the pain of our 22 years behind bars,” stated Ali Farajallah, released after serving a lengthy sentence for his involvement in attacks against Israelis. Human rights organizations have reported on the harsh conditions within Israeli prisons since the conflict’s onset.

On a different front, Hamas held a press conference to confirm the deaths of Deif and four other members, dealing a symbolic blow to the militant group. Deif was known for his resilience, having survived several assassination attempts in the past, and his confirmation marked a significant moment for Hamas as they continue to assert their influence in Gaza despite persistent Israeli military objectives to dismantle their rule.

Currently, a total of 33 hostages are expected to be released in the initial six-week phase of the ceasefire, which involves several vulnerable groups including women, children, and injured individuals in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel claims that Hamas has acknowledged that eight of the hostages slated for release in this phase are already deceased.

As Israeli forces pull back from most areas of Gaza, a substantial number of residents have begun to return to the remains of their former homes, while humanitarian assistance accumulates.

Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire are on the agenda, with Hamas anticipated to release the remaining hostages if a lasting ceasefire is reached. Should no agreement be established, indications suggest fighting could resume as early as March.

Despite the truce, Israelis remain adamant about destroying Hamas, especially as members of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition publicly advocate for a return to hostilities. Meanwhile, Hamas insists that they will not hand over any remaining hostages unless the conflict ceases entirely and Israeli forces withdraw from Gaza.

The escalated violence on October 7 resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, with approximately 250 individuals taken captive. In the clash that followed, more than 47,000 Palestinians have reportedly died, a significant proportion being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ministry does not delineate the number of deceased combatants among the casualties.

The Israeli military reports that it has eliminated more than 17,000 fighters, though they have not provided evidence to substantiate these claims, attributing civilian fatalities to Hamas’ tactics of operating within densely populated areas.