Israel begins release of 110 Palestinians after delay

The Israeli military had earlier confirmed the release of three Israeli citizens, along with five Thai nationals.

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The Israeli government has commenced the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners, following a delay on Thursday.

This comes after the Israeli military confirmed the release of three Israeli citizens—one male and two female—along with five Thai nationals who had been held captive in the Gaza Strip.

At around dusk, two buses carrying the inmates leave from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank, after Israel said it had received assurance from mediators over the future "safe release" of captives.

Israel was due to free 110 prisoners, including 30 minors, in exchange for the three Israelis released on Thursday, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club advocacy group said.

Earlier, Israel postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners following chaotic scenes during the handover process.

Among the freed were Arbel Yehud, 29, who had been abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Gadi Moses, 80, along with five Thai nationals working on Israeli farms.

The tense handover took place in the southern city of Khan Younis, where Yehud struggled to walk through a surging crowd of onlookers as armed militants handed her over to the Red Cross. The chaotic scenes led Israeli officials to delay the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for Thursday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the delay to ensure the safe exit of Israeli hostages in future stages.

As the hostages were handed over, the family of one of the Thai workers anxiously watched a livestream from Thailand. Wiwwaro Sriaoun, the mother of one of the Thai nationals, prayed for her son’s safe return, watching the scene unfold on her phone.

A drone view shows female Israeli soldier Agam Berger gestures as she is released by Palestinian Hamas militants, as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Netanyahu condemned the chaotic handover, emphasizing the need for the safety of hostages. "Anyone who hurts a hostage will face death," he warned, urging mediators to prevent such scenes in the future.

In a separate incident, Israeli soldier Agam Berger, captured during the October 7 assault, was also released and handed to the Red Cross. A video released by Netanyahu’s office showed a tearful and relieved Berger reunited with her family.

Despite Israel's military setbacks, including the assassination of Hamas leader Yahya Al-Sinwar, the group remains entrenched in Gaza. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri claimed that the killing of leaders only strengthens their resolve.

Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Moses, hostages held in Gaza since the deadly October 7, 2023 attack, and who are to be released as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, are seen at an unspecified location in this screengrab from video released January 30, 2025. Photo: Reuters