STORY: Hamas releases 8 hostages in truce swap
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 30, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 31, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: POLITICS/MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the release of an Israeli hostage in Jabalia, northern Gaza
2. various of the release of the Israeli hostages in Khan Younis city, southern Gaza

STORYLINE:

Palestinian militants in Gaza, led by Hamas, released eight hostages, three Israelis and five Thais, on Thursday.

The hostages were released in two groups. Agam Berger, a 20-year-old Israeli soldier, was released first. Video showed her, wearing a khaki uniform, emerging from damaged buildings in Jabalia, northern Gaza, escorted by Hamas militants, before walking to a Red Cross vehicle. She was then taken to a compound outside Gaza to reunite with her parents.

In Khan Younis, southern Gaza, Hamas released two more Israelis -- Arbel Yahoud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80 -- along with five Thai agricultural workers. The Thai hostages, identified as Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak, were working in southern Israel when they were taken captive.

Footage showed chaotic scenes as hundreds of Gazans gathered, and militants struggled to control the crowd and clear a path for the hostages.

More than 60 Israeli hostages and 290 Palestinian prisoners have been exchanged under the truce. Israel insists that the ceasefire will not derail its broader campaign against Hamas. 

Mediators are pushing to extend the pause in fighting. Thursday's events underscored the fragility of the deal as both sides navigate distrust and competing demands.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza, Palestine.
(XHTV)