Hamas is set to free three more Israeli hostages as well as five Thai captives, and Israel is to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners, in the third such exchange since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month.
The ceasefire agreement between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah is in new jeopardy Sunday as various groups slow walk responsibilities under the deal.
Hamas released seven hostages, including two Israelis and five Thais, amid a ceasefire with Israel. The handover in Khan Yunis led to chaos as crowds gathered, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to condemn the scenes and demand hostages’ safety.
A female Israeli soldier is released as the next hostage-prisoner exchange gets underway amid the ceasefire in Gaza.
Israel says a Hamas list shows that eight of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire are dead.
Both the Trump and Biden administrations have publicly claimed credit for pushing the agreement over the line.
Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second release to occur as part of the ceasefire agreement that began last weekend. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.
Some of the prisoners Israel is expected to release include 30 Palestinians that were given life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis.
Long lines of Palestinians -- some kneeling to kiss the soil as they stepped into the northern part of the strip -- were making their way home on Monday.
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.
Turkish intelligence (MIT) negotiated with Palestinian Hamas for the release of five hostages from Thailand, who returned to Israel on Thursday, Turkish media reported, citing sources in security services.