Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday, while Israel began freeing 110 Palestinian prisoners, following a tense exchange that highlighted the ongoing complexities of hostage negotiations in the region.

The Israeli hostages included Arbel Yehud, 29, who had been abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Yehud appeared visibly shaken and struggled to walk through the crowd as armed militants handed her over to the Red Cross in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Also freed was 80-year-old Gadi Moses, along with five Thai workers, who were seized when militants stormed farms near Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the chaotic scenes at one of the handover points, where swarming crowds surrounded the hostages. He expressed shock at the images and issued a stern warning, vowing death to anyone who harms hostages. The Israeli government also urged mediators to ensure that future hostage releases take place in a safer environment.

Following these developments, Israel began the process of releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners as part of an agreement to halt hostilities that had ravaged Gaza. Buses carrying the prisoners arrived in Ramallah, in the West Bank, later in the day. Netanyahu, along with Defence Minister Israel Katz, confirmed that the release of the Palestinian detainees had been delayed until it was assured that the safe exit of Israeli hostages in subsequent phases was guaranteed.

Violence erupted in the West Bank as Palestinian health officials reported that at least 14 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire, including live and rubber bullets, as well as gas inhalation, while waiting at the entrance of Ramallah to greet the released prisoners.

As the prisoner exchange continued, some of the freed Palestinians, including those from East Jerusalem, returned to their homes, while others were being transferred to Gaza or deported to Egypt. The ongoing negotiations and tense atmosphere underscore the fragile and volatile nature of the situation in the region.

(With Reuters Inputs)