Israel begins freeing prisoners after delay over chaotic hostage release; UNRWA ban begins
Three Israeli hostages are being freed in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisonersMilitants throng Gaza handover sitesFive Thai hostages also reported to be freedPrisoners to be freed later
Israeli soldier Arbel Yehoud, 29, who has been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, is escorted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters as she is handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Hamas-led militants freed eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but the chaotic handover of some of the captives, who were shuttled through a rowdy crowd of thousands by masked militants, drew an angry protest from Israel.
Israel later began releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners after the swap was initially put on hold by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who demanded that mediators assure the safe exit for hostages going forward. He said later that he had received that commitment.
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