Eight hostages, including three Israelis and five Thai nationals, have been freed from Gaza as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The hostages were handed over to the International Red Cross, which then transferred them to Israeli forces for safe return to Israel.

This release follows the broader framework of the ceasefire, under which Israel also freed 110 Palestinians, including several with life sentences and minors. However, the release was delayed briefly due to concerns over the treatment of the hostages during the handover process.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, a total of 15 hostages have been released, leaving 82 individuals still in captivity. Among those freed on Thursday was Israeli soldier Agam Berger, who had been captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023. She was the first to be released in a highly publicized ceremony in Gaza.

The release of the hostages comes after a series of delays and tense negotiations, with Israel expressing concerns about the disorderly scenes during the handover in Gaza, which prompted a temporary pause in further exchanges. The situation remains delicate, as both sides work under the terms of the ceasefire to negotiate the release of additional hostages and prisoners.