International
Eight Captives Freed in Gaza as Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal Continues
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- Three Israelis and five foreign nationals released in the latest hostage exchange.
- 110 Palestinian detainees set to be freed in return.
- Exchange follows ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli military announced that eight captives, three Israelis and five foreign nationals, have been freed in the third phase of a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Among those released was 20-year-old Israeli soldier Agam Berger, who was found beneath rubble at the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, an area frequently targeted by Israeli airstrikes since October 2023.
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Later on Thursday, Israeli civilian Arbel Yehoud was released near the former residence of ex-Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Younis. Another Israeli civilian and five Thai nationals were also handed over to Red Cross officials, according to the Israeli military.
As part of the exchange, Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis, said crowds had gathered at the release site in anticipation of the handover.
“Thousands of civilians – children, women, elderly people – are here to witness the scene,” he said. “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.”
On Thursday, former Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who resigned in protest over the ceasefire deal, criticized the latest hostage exchange, claiming it highlighted Israel’s failure to secure a decisive victory in Gaza.
“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,” Ben-Gvir wrote on Telegram.
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As part of the ongoing agreement, Hamas released four female Israeli soldiers last Saturday, while Israel freed 200 Palestinian detainees, temporarily halting over 15 months of conflict.
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