Eight more hostages including three Israeli and five Thai nationals were released from captivity in Gaza in the third round of hostage-prisoner swap under a ceasefire agreement between Palestinian groups and Israel aimed at de-escalating the conflict in the region. 20-year-old Israeli soldier Agam Berger was the first to be freed by Palestinian armed group Hamas.

29-year-old Arbel Yehoud and 80-year-old Gadi Mozes were later released along with five Thai nationals by Palestinian Islamic Jihad at Khan Younis in southern Gaza amid chaotic scenes.The hostages were surrounded by large crowds as they were walked to Red Cross vehicles. 

Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have delayed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners due to be freed as part of agreement, after what they said were unacceptable, chaotic scenes at the hostage handover in southern Gaza. Egyptian official said, the prisoners will now be released later tonight.

Meanwhile, in a social media post, the Israeli Prime Minister criticised the way captives were released in Khan Younis, where a huge crowd surged onto the path they were escorted through. Israeli authorities are also expected to release 110 Palestinian prisoners today. According to Hamas, of those, 32 were sentenced to life imprisonment, and another 30 are children.

In the ongoing first phase, of the ceasefire and hostage release deal, a total of 33 Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas and other armed groups on the 7th of October, 2023 attacks are supposed to be freed. Israel is expected to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in turn. Two rounds of releases have already taken place in which seven hostages including four soldiers and three civilians, all women were freed.