Hamas Frees 8 Hostages as Gaza Truce Holds, Israel to Release 110 Prisoners

Hamas frees 8 hostages as Gaza ceasefire holds. Israel to release 110 Palestinian prisoners in ongoing truce deal.

Hamas Releases 8 Hostages Amid Gaza Truce, Israel to Free 110 Prisoners

 

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants freed eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.

 

The latest release included an Israeli soldier, an 80-year-old Israeli man, a 29-year-old Israeli woman, and five Thai laborers captured during the initial October 7 attacks. The exchange, which was briefly delayed by a chaotic scene during the handover, marks another step in the temporary truce between Hamas and Israel.

 

Under the current ceasefire deal, Hamas is set to release 33 Israeli hostages—about one-third of those held—while Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces have also pulled back from major cities, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

 

The truce has brought a temporary halt to one of the deadliest conflicts between Israel and Hamas. However, negotiations for a second phase remain uncertain, as Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. Israel, meanwhile, insists on continuing its military objectives, raising concerns about whether peace will hold beyond the current agreement.