Jerusalem (TDI): Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday and Israel freed 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process in anger at the swarming crowds at one of the hostage handover points.
Arbel Yehoud, 29, abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, looked fearful as armed fighters handed her to the Red Cross in a tense scene in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Another Israeli hostage, Gadi Moses, 80, was also freed along with 5 Thai nationals who were working on Israeli farms near Gaza when Hamas fighters burst through the border fence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the sight of their chaotic handover was shocking and threatened death to anyone hurting hostages.
He and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated they delayed the release to ensure the safe exit of hostages in the next phases.
The prime minister’s office said later that mediators had committed to ensuring the safe passage of captives in future handovers.
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On Thursday, buses arrived in Ramallah with about 110 Palestinian prisoners to be released under the phased deal that halted the 15 months war on January 19, Reuters reported.
They were met by cheering crowds in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, with men slogans “we sacrifice our souls and blood for you.”
Zakaria Zubaidi, Fatah Leader Freed
Zakaria Zubaidi, one of the leaders of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas’ rival the Fatah group, was the most notable Palestinian prisoner to be released.
He escaped jail in 2021 with three other inmates but was then recaptured.
Also Read: Hamas Releases 3 Israeli, 5 Thai Hostages
Zubaidi has always been known as the strongman of the West Bank city of Jenin, a center Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation and site of frequent Israeli army raids, including a major operation just a week ago.
