In Thursday's round, the third since the ceasefire in the Gaza War began, the Palestinian militia groups were to release eight hostages, while Israel was to release 110 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
And at first, everything went according to plan. The Red Cross received an address in Jabalia in northern Gaza Strip to go to. There, militiamen handed over the young soldier Agam Berger.
"With our forces"
The aid organization's cars could then take Berger to Israel. "Her family has been updated by the authorities that she is now with our forces," writes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the media.
Then, the terrorist-stamped Palestinian militias instead directed the Red Cross to the southernmost parts of the Gaza Strip, where the Israelis Yehoud and Moses, as well as the five Thais Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak were handed over.
All eight were abducted in connection with the major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the war.
29-year-old Arbel Yehoud was supposed to be released already last week, when four female soldiers – captured along with Agam Berger – were instead handed over.
"Shocking scenes"
Israel pointed out then, outraged, that Hamas broke its part of the agreement, which states that civilians should be released first. This led to Israel briefly pausing the plan to allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza Strip.
Benjamin Netanyahu later stated that he had received guarantees of safe release of hostages going forward, and white buses were seen leaving Ofer Prison on the West Bank.
Phase one began on January 19 and will last for six weeks. During that time, the Palestinian Hamas and their allies will release 33 people held hostage in the Gaza Strip.
In return, Israel will release a total of approximately 730 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, as well as approximately 1,100 who have been detained by the military in Gaza Strip within the framework of the war.
Israel will make some initial military withdrawals from key areas in Gaza. Much more aid and supplies will be allowed into the million-strong population there.
Two more phases of the ceasefire are being prepared, but the details of them remain to be negotiated.
