Israeli army has stated that eight hostages, including three Israelis and five foreign nationals, held in Gaza were freed on Thursday as part of the third phase of a ceasefire and prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.
The military reported that Israeli citizens Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moshe Mozes, along with Thai captives Thaenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Saethao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak, arrived safely in Israel.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli soldier, 20-year-old Berger, was the first to be released. She emerged from the rubble at the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, which has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli forces since October 2023.
Later on Thursday, another Israeli civilian, Arbel Yehoud, was released near the former residence of Hamas’ ex-political leader Yahya Sinwar in the southern city of Khan Younis.
As part of the ceasefire arrangement, Israel is expected to release 110 Palestinian prisoners from its jails. The release, initially set to take place today, had been delayed by the Israeli government but is now scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time [15:00 GMT].
This delay followed assurances from mediators regarding the safety of the captives as their release continues under the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
The Palestinian Prisoners’ Information Office had initially confirmed the scheduled release, which is now set to occur following a resolution by Israeli officials.
This announcement came after Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers last Saturday, as well as the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. This marked a significant milestone in halting more than 15 months of conflict.
Thousands of people gathered in Khan Younis to witness the release of the captives. Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reported, “Dozens of fighters [from both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad] are lined up in the area, as they prepared for the arrival of the Israeli captives along with the Red Cross. They are trying to control the situation on the ground and organise the exchange. Hamas fighters are on the rooftop of the house. Other onlookers are on the rooftops of nearby buildings.”
Israeli politicians, however, expressed concern over the deal.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s former national security minister who resigned due to his opposition to the ceasefire, commented on the images from the handover in Khan Younis. “We are happy and excited about the return of our beloved Agam, Arbel and Gadi, but the horrific images from Gaza make it clear: This is not a complete victory – this is a complete failure, in a reckless deal like no other,” he stated on Telegram.
The Thai government also expressed relief over the release of five Thai nationals held captive in Gaza for over a year. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra shared her joy on social media, stating, “I am elated after hearing that the five Thai captives held in Gaza for over a year have been released.”
Shinawatra went on to thank the efforts of Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the United States in securing the release and expressed gratitude to Israel for their care of the captives. Thailand had previously reported that 23 Thai nationals were released by the end of 2023, with two victims having died in May of the same year.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Thai Foreign Ministry confirmed that the five recently released captives would be taken to a hospital for treatment. “Thailand calls for the release of all the remaining hostages including a Thai national soonest, so they can safely return to their homeland and to their beloved families,” the statement read.
The deal, which continues to unfold, has drawn mixed reactions but has been hailed as a major step towards halting the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas.
(Al Jazeera)
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