More than 100 Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel after chaotic hostage release in Gaza

The sister-in-law of released hostage Pongsak Thaenna says she “always had hope” that he would be reunited with his family.

“I told Pongsak’s father that it’s been a long time, but we’ll definitely get to see him, alive or not,” says Yaowares Sangkanueng.

“I was discouraged, but as long as there is no body, there’s still hope.”

She adds that her “brave” brother-in-law would have taken care of his fellow hostages.

Meanwhile, the family of Sathian Suwannakham say they were overwhelmed with emotion yesterday, after learning from the Thai embassy that hostages were to be released.

Sathian’s younger sister, Sirinna, says: “My mother and my father couldn’t sleep at all after the call. They were overjoyed.”

We’ve just seen a statement from the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which thanks countries that helped in the hostage release.

The ministry gives “heartfelt congratulations” to the released hostages’ families, and expresses “deep appreciation” to Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, the US and others for their “instrumental roles”.

They confirm the five released Thai hostages are being transferred to hospital, and end the statement by calling for the safe return of the remaining hostages.

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Tel Aviv

Things are quietening down at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, following the confirmation that the hostages are back in Israel.

People cheered, hugged and cried as they watched the news on the big screen here. Cheers broke out among the remaining crowd each time one of the Israeli hostages’ names was mentioned.

While today’s releases have been met with celebration, for Israeli families whose loved ones – both alive and dead – remain in Gaza, the painful wait continues.

“We will keep going with this deal until the end. There’s no political statement here. There are no camps. There are no forums. There are families concerned for their loved ones’ fates,” Roei Baruch, whose brother Uriel was killed in Gaza after being taken hostage on 7 October 2023, told people here.

“The nation of Israel, the government and all of us are obliged until the last hostage.”

Wyre Davies
Reporting from Ramallah

Here in Ramallah in the West Bank, where families are ready for the release of Palestinian prisoners, they say they’re used to waiting.

No one is really contemplating the consequences of the releases being cancelled entirely – yet.

We’ve just got confirmation that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with Defence Minister Israel Katz, has ordered a delay in the release of Palestinian prisoners.

This comes after chaotic scenes in Khan Younis earlier, during the transfer of seven hostages.

Netanyahu’s office says the delay will be in place “until the safe exit of our hostages is guaranteed in the next few days. Israel is demanding that the mediators achieve this.”

Israel is suspending the release of Palestinian prisoners following the chaotic scenes in Khan Younis, according to multiple reports in Israeli media.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that buses that were carrying the detainees have been told to head back to the prisons.

As we reported earlier, the Hamas-run Prisoners Media Office said 110 Palestinian prisoners were set to be freed after the return of Israeli hostages.

That release is now seemingly delayed – we’ll have more details soon.

The family of a Thai farm worker held hostage in Gaza cried with relief after hearing he was freed earlier today.

“It is confirmed everyone, my son did not die. Thank you God,” Wiwwaeo Sriaoun – mother of Watchara Sriaoun – told AFP after the news broke.

“I will hug him when I see him. I want to see if his health is OK, I am worried about his health. Thank you, thank you God he did not die. We trust in God.”

Five Thais were released today, along with three Israelis, the Israeli government has confirmed.

More now from that statement from Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, which starts by saying that the Israeli government “embraces the seven returnees”.

Along with Israelis Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, they confirm the following Thai nationals were released in Khan Younis earlier:

• Pongsak Thaenna
• Sathian Suwannakham
• Watchara Sriaoun
• Bannawat Saethao
• Surasak Rumnao

The seven hostages have now crossed over into Israeli territory, Israel says.

In a statement, the IDF says: “A short while ago, accompanied by IDF and ISA forces, the seven returning hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory.

“The returning hostages are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel.”

As a reminder, the seven hostages include two Israelis – a man and a woman – and five Thai nationals. The IDF says the five Thais will be met by Thai government officials.

The eighth hostage scheduled for release today, Agam Berger, is already back in Israel after being released separately to the other seven earlier today.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed that five foreign nationals freed from Gaza earlier were Thai.

We’ll have more from the statement soon.

We’ve just had a statement from Thailand’s foreign ministry, which says they are “awaiting confirmation” from their ambassador on the ground about who the released hostages are.

“The last time there was a release, there was a confusion with the number of those released and the nationality,” the statement says.

We are continuing to keep across the major developments so stick with us for further updates.

Israel’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs has responded to the chaotic scene in Khan Younis as Arbel Yehud was handed over, calling it an example of Hamas’ “hate, terror and savagery”.

Sharren Haskel shared footage on X of Yehud being guided through chaotic crowds by masked men, writing: “To every Hamas apologist in the West who supported these monsters since October 7 – take a look at the hate, terror and savagery.

“This is why Hamas’ rule in Gaza must be destroyed forever.”

The Israeli military say the seven hostages have now been handed over to their forces in Gaza.

“The seven returning hostages are currently being accompanied by IDF special forces and ISA forces on their return to Israeli territory, where they will undergo an initial medical assessment,” the IDF says in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has criticised the “shocking scenes” during the release of hostages in Khan Younis today.

“This is additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the terrorist organisation Hamas,” he says.

“I demand from the mediators to make sure that such terrible scenes do not recur, and to guarantee the safety of our hostages. Whoever dares to harm our hostages, will pay the price.”

As we’ve reported, there were huge crowds as the seven hostages were transferred to the Red Cross earlier. You can watch a clip below.

The Israeli military says seven hostages, including an Israeli male and female hostage and five foreign nationals, have been handed over to the Red Cross.

It says according to information provided by the Red Cross, the seven are now making their way to the IDF and Shin Bet forces in the Gaza Strip.

We’ve now seen reports in Israeli media that 80-year-old civilian Gadi Moses has been handed to the Red Cross, along with 29-year-old Arbel Yehud.

We’ve heard nothing official yet. The situation is fast-moving so stick with us for further updates.

As a reminder, Moses and Yehud are two of the three Israeli hostages due to be released today – the third, Agam Berger, is back in Israel.

Israeli hostage Arbel Yehud, a 29-year-old civilian, has been handed over to the Red Cross, according to Israeli media.

We can also bring you these pictures of Yehud moving through the crowds in Khan Younis earlier.

Yolande Knell
Middle East correspondent

We had a brief glimpse of what looks like Gadi Moses being guided through the crowds in Khan Younis.

There is a lot of pushing and shoving going on. It’s really not easy for anybody to move through this crowd.

This does seem to be a dangerous crush of people.

There are chaotic scenes in Khan Younis, as large crowds gather for the expected hostage release.

It appears 80-year-old Israeli hostage Gadi Moses has been spotted amid a crowd moving toward Red Cross vehicles – remember you can watch the scenes live at the top of the page.

Alice Cuddy
Reporting from Tel Aviv

People are waiting anxiously here in Hostages Square for Gadi Moses and Arbel Yehud to be handed over to the Red Cross in the southern city of Khan Younis in Gaza and returned to Israel.

Dozens have gathered around a large screen in the square to watch a live news stream of the handover.

Some are holding up photos of the two Israeli hostages, aged 80 and 29.

Large crowds can be seen in the Gazan city, awaiting the transfer.

“It’s so chaotic,” a man watching in Tel Aviv says of the scene.