Crowds rushed around some of the hostages while they were released. (Image: Getty)
Hamas militants have released eight hostages, but the chaotic handover of some of the captives has drawn protest from .
A mob of Palestinians encircled and taunted some of the captives as they were handed over to the Red Cross.
Over six weeks, is set to release 33 Israeli hostages – approximately one-third of those held – in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. As part of the truce, has also withdrawn its forces from major cities and permitted hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in war-ravaged Gaza.
Both sides are also expected to commence discussions on a second phase aimed at de-escalating the deadliest and most destructive conflict ever waged between and Hamas, which was ignited by a massive terrorist attack on on October 7, 2023.
Among the hostages released on Thursday were a female Israeli soldier, a 29-year-old Israeli woman, an 80-year-old Israeli man, and five Thai labourers who were taken captive while working in southern .
The first hostage to be released, 20-year-old soldier Agam Berger, was paraded in front of a crowd in the heavily devastated Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza before her release.
Later that day, tensions erupted in the southern city of Khan Younis, outside the ruined home of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, where the handover of the remaining seven hostages took place.
A convoy arrived, accompanied by hundreds of militants from Hamas and the smaller Islamic Jihad group, drawing in thousands of onlookers, some on the rooftops of bomb-damaged buildings.
Arbel Yehoud was rushed through the shouting crowd by masked militants, who occasionally pushed people back.
Around 20 of Yehoud’s friends gathered in southern and watched anxiously as the tense scene unfolded live on television. The room was filled with emotion, with some in tears, others covering their eyes or mouths, and one friend yelling at the news anchor to “shut up” when she described the situation.
Several in the group burst into tears of relief as Yehoud was safely handed over to the Red Cross.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the “shocking scenes” and urged international mediators to ensure the safety of hostages in future releases.
Thursday’s releases also included 80-year-old Gadi Moses and five Thai nationals, identified by as Watchara Sriaoun, 33; Pongsak Tanna, 36; Sathian Suwankam, 35; Bannawat Seathao, 27; and Surasak Lamnau, 32.
The Israeli army confirmed all eight hostages were brought safely into . The government released a video of Berger, one of five young female soldiers captured in the October 7 attack, reuniting with her parents.
Earlier, a jubilant crowd in a Tel Aviv square erupted into cheers, applause, and whistles as they watched Berger’s handover on large screens, positioned beside a prominent clock that has been marking the days of the hostages’ captivity.
Among the onlookers, some were seen holding signs with the message: “Agam we’re waiting for you at home.”