Hamas Hands Over Israeli and Thai Hostages in Gaza, Israel Delays Palestinian Prisoner Release
CHAOTIC SCENES AT HANDOVER POINT
CAIRO/JERUSALEM: Hamas handed over three Israelis and five Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday, but Israel delayed the expected release of Palestinian prisoners after chaotic scenes at one of the handover points, where large crowds swarmed around the captives.
HOSTAGE RELEASE
Arbel Yehud, 29, abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, looked fearful and struggled to walk through a surging crowd as armed militants handed her to the Red Cross in a tense scene in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Another Israeli hostage, Gadi Moses, 80, was also released along with five Thai nationals working on Israeli farms near Gaza when the militants burst through the border fence, the Israeli military said.
THAI HOSTAGE’S MOTHER WATCHES LIVESTREAM
The mother of one of the Thais watched a livestream of the scene anxiously from her home in the northeastern Udon Thani province.
"Please, let my son walk out now, I want to see his face," Wiwwaro Sriaoun, 53, said as the footage on her phone showed a vehicle moving slowly through the crowd.
NETANYAHU’S RESPONSE
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sight of their handover amid the swarming crowds was shocking and threatened death to anyone hurting hostages. He urged mediators to ensure the scene would not be repeated.
PHASED AGREEMENT
A total of 110 Palestinian prisoners were expected to be freed on Thursday as part of the phased agreement that halted fighting in the shattered coastal territory earlier this month. An Israeli official involved in the operation said buses carrying the detainees had been instructed to return to prisons in an apparent response to the chaotic handover.
EARLIER RELEASES
Earlier, in Jabalia in northern Gaza, an Israeli soldier, Agam Berger, wearing an olive green uniform, was led through a narrow alley between heavily damaged buildings and over piles of rubble before being handed to the Red Cross.
"Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave," a statement from her family said. "Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process, but the recovery will not be complete until all the hostages return home."
A video released by Netanyahu’s office showed a pale Berger crying and smiling while sitting on her mother’s lap.
HAMAS DEFIANCE
Hamas, which Israel has vowed to obliterate, still has a strong presence in Gaza despite heavy bombardment from the Middle East’s most advanced military over more than 15 months and the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Al-Sinwar.
"The killing of leaders only makes the people stronger and more stubborn," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said of Sinwar, filmed by an Israeli drone badly wounded throwing a piece of wood at the device in his final defiance of Israel.
RELEASE IN KHAN YOUNIS
The release in Khan Younis took place near the bombed ruins of Sinwar’s house.
FUTURE RELEASES
The Palestinian prisoners, who include 30 minors and some convicted members of Palestinian groups responsible for deadly attacks that killed dozens of people in Israel, had been expected to be taken to the West Bank or Gaza later in the day.
ISRAELIS GATHER IN TEL AVIV
Israelis gathered in what has become known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, cheering and crying as they watched the release on a giant screen. The hostages will be taken to hospital for treatment.
Some people cheered as U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived at the square, in apparent gratitude for his role in securing the ceasefire deal. He shook hands with some people, including family members of hostages.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR
Around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 hostages were abducted in the Hamas attack in Israel, the bloodiest single attack on Jews since the Holocaust. Israel’s military response has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians and laid waste to the enclave of 2.3 million people, who face severe shortages of medicine, fuel and food.
Around half the hostages were released the following month during the only previous truce, and others have been recovered dead or alive during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
CONCLUSION
The chaotic scenes at the handover point have raised concerns about the safety of the hostages and the effectiveness of the ceasefire agreement. The delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners has also sparked controversy, with some calling for a more comprehensive and immediate release.
FAQs
Q: How many hostages were released on Thursday?
A: Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were released.
Q: Why was the release delayed?
A: The chaotic scenes at the handover point led to the delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners.
Q: How many Palestinian prisoners were expected to be released?
A: 110 Palestinian prisoners were expected to be freed as part of the phased agreement.
Q: What is the current situation in Gaza?
A: The enclave of 2.3 million people faces severe shortages of medicine, fuel and food, and many have found their homes to be uninhabitable.