Hamas Frees 8 More Hostages As Israel Is Set To Release 110 Prisoners
HuffPost
The ceasefire has held despite a dispute earlier this week over the sequence in which the hostages were released.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants freed the first of eight hostages on Thursday in the latest release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month. Israel was expected to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners.
The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel sparked the fighting. It has held despite a dispute earlier this week over the sequence in which the hostages were released.
Hours after Hamas freed female Israeli soldier Agam Berger, crowds gathered for further releases.
Chaotic scene unfolded as thousands of people pressed around a handover site in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, in front of the destroyed home of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Footage showed Arbel Yehoud, a 29-year-old hostage, being led through the crowd by militants toward waiting Red Cross vehicles. There was no clear view of other hostages, or of her entering the car.
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Israeli forces opened fire on the crowd trying to go back home, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire deal by changing the order of hostages released.
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