Israeli female soldier released in Gaza as part of ceasefire deal

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In the third stage of Israel’s and Hamas’ ceasefire and captive exchange agreement, an Israeli female soldier was freed from custody in Gaza.

Agam Berger was released on Thursday as she emerged from the rubble at the Gaza refugee camp, which has repeatedly been targeted by Israeli forces since it first declared its war on the island in October 2023.

Five Thai nationals, including Berger, were the first of eight captives set to be released today.

Locations across Gaza will be where captives will be freed on Thursday, including inside the former residence of former Hamas political chief Yahya Sinwar in Khan Younis.

Follow our live coverage here for the most recent news regarding the release and what’s happening in Gaza.

In return, Israel is due to release 110 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons later today.

Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Khan Younis, said people were gathering at the location in Khan Younis for the potential release of captives.

“Thousands of civilians – children, women, elderly people – are here to witness the scene”, he said. The area is lined up with “dozens of fighters from both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” preparing to welcome the Israeli prisoners and the Red Cross. They are attempting to organize and manage the situation on the ground. On the house’s rooftop, there are Hamas fighters. On the rooftops of nearby buildings are other onlookers.

As part of the deal that put an end to the more than 15 months of Israeli hostilities, Hamas released 200 Palestinians from Israeli jails on Saturday.