Hamas has handed over eight hostages to the Red Cross on Thursday, marking a significant step in the ongoing cease-fire agreement with Israel. The group includes three Israelis and five Thai agricultural workers, all held captive for over a year in Gaza.

The Israeli hostages, identified as Gadi Moses, 80; Arbel Yehud, 29; and Agam Berger, 20, were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Footage from Al Jazeera showed Berger, an Israeli soldier, being escorted onto a stage in northern Gaza, where she was handed a certificate in a highly staged event. In Tel Aviv, crowds watched the release on live screens, their reactions a mix of muted relief and anxiety.

In exchange, Israel is set to release 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 32 serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. Among them is Zakaria Zubeidi, a well-known militant involved in a 2021 prison break. This marks the third prisoner-hostage swap since the six-week truce began, aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, which has claimed over 45,000 lives, according to local health officials.

The Thai hostages, kidnapped from farms near the Gaza border, are also being freed. They were among dozens of Thai workers killed or captured during the October attack, making them the second-largest group of victims after Israelis.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Hamas continues to stage elaborate displays of control. In the ruins of Jabaliya and the streets of Khan Younis, armed militants prepared makeshift stages for the releases, surrounded by crowds waving black-and-yellow flags.

The atmosphere in Israel remains tense, with families of hostages watching the exchanges closely. While some cheer the releases, many are still waiting for their loved ones to come home.

As the cease-fire holds, mediators hope this agreement will pave the way for a broader resolution to the conflict. The next releases are expected soon, though details remain uncertain.