Three Israelis and five Thai hostages freed in Gaza
Three Israelis and five Thai hostages freed in Gaza
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Three Israeli and five Thai hostages have been freed under a phased ceasefire deal that has halted fighting in Gaza. The first hostage, 20-year-old female Israeli soldier Agam Berger, was released in northern Gaza. Hours later, there were chaotic scenes in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis as footage showed a stunned Arbel Yehoud being led through a crowd, flanked by Palestinian militants.
Gaza ceasefire latest. The Israeli civilian was at the centre of a dispute between Israel and Hamas last weekend. It's suspected she was being held by Islamic Jihad, another militant group in Gaza. A third Israeli, civilian Gadi Mozes, 80, was also released on Thursday.
Israeli military identified the five Thai nationals as Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak. In return for the release of the eight hostages, Israel was expected to set free 110 Palestinians detained in prisons, including children, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Society.
Among them are a 61-year-old held since 1992 and 30 teenagers, the youngest a 15-year-old boy. However, their release was delayed after Israel condemned the "harrowing" scenes endured by Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes during their handover to the Red Cross.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the scenes as "shocking" and "horrific". The latest planned exchange is part of a fragile truce - mediated by the US, Qatar and Egypt - that began on 19 January and has so far held, aimed at winding down the deadliest war ever fought between Israel and Hamas.
