Release of detainees held as Israel demanded guarantee from mediators for future 'safe passage' of hostages; Trump envoy 'hopeful' deal's next stages will be implemented

Eight hostages − three Israelis and five Thai nationals − were returned to Israel on Thursday after spending 482 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. They were freed in an at-times chaotic handover in connection with a weeks-long ceasefire and hostages-for-prisoners swap between Israel and the militant group aimed at ending 15 months of fighting.

Chaotic scenes unfolded as an Israeli hostage was led through a crowd in Gaza before being handed over to the Red Cross on Thursday.

Three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals held by Hamas in Gaza since the 7 October 2023 have been released. Agam Berger, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was reunited with her family at a military base in southern Israel after being handed over by armed Palestinian fighters to the Red Cross in Jabalia, northern Gaza, on Thursday.

The women are the first three hostages to be released under the newly implemented ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas

The outgoing Israeli ambassador to the United States, Mike Herzog, told Axios on Monday that he expects the 47th president to reverse the US weapons-supply ban within his first few days back in

In exchange, Israel was expected to free 110 Palestinian prisoners. But the prime minister’s office said their release was being delayed because of chaos around Thursday’s hostage handover in Gaza.

Israel says an updated list from Hamas "matches Israeli intelligence" - meaning 18 hostages are still to be released in the first phase of the ceasefire.

Hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are expected to be freed in a ceasefire deal with Israel. Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will also be freed.

The Red Cross said on Saturday it had completed the second phase of release operations as part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement, transferring four Israeli hostages from the enclave and facilitating the release of detainees from Israeli centres.

Israeli army says the Red Cross confirms it has seven hostages — two Israelis and five Thai nationals.