Hamas frees 8 more hostages as Gaza truce holds. Israel is set to release 110 prisoners

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: AP

Updated 7:03 AM EST, January 30, 2025


KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas-led militants freed eight hostages on Thursday in the latest release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month. Israel was expected to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners.

The release was delayed by a chaotic scene in which a crowd of Palestinians surrounded and jeered at hostages as they were turned over to the Red Cross.

The truce is aimed at winding down the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas, whose Oct. 7, 2023, attack into Israel sparked the fighting. It has held despite a dispute earlier this week over the sequence in which the hostages were released.

The first hostage, female Israeli soldier Agam Berger, was released in northern Gaza. Hours later, a chaotic scene unfolded as thousands of people pressed around a handover site in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, in front of the destroyed home of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-01-30-2025-3cc7131495a60ce2bda73ca691abb7c8

[twodogsbarking]

1. Hamas releases hostages. Israel releases prisoners.

[Beastly Boy]

2. And Hamas made sure of turning it into a disgraceful freak show.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/furious-over-shocking-scenes-of-hostage-handover-israel-delays-release-of-prisoners/

[sarisataka]

3. There is a lot I could say about Hamas and Gaza

but the pictures tell the story themselves

[maxsolomon]

4. Amazing how little reaction these hostage releases get on DU.

Apparently, we've moved off of Gaza.

Good news? Crickets.

[iemanja]

9. That's not limited to this subject

I've noticed that threads with good news tend to get far less attention than those with bad news. For example, the threads announcing Trump's freezes were far more active than those announcing the retraction of those freezes. My theory is people find catharsis in venting their anger.

[ZRB]

5. This is such a terrible deal for Israel

But glad some hostages are finally free.

[Beastly Boy]

6. It's not a deal. It's extortion with a gun held to the heads of the hostages.

[ZRB]

7. You're right

Extortion is a much better word.

[maxsolomon]

14. It's been extortion since 10/7.

That's why hostages are taken.

Hamas is doing a bad job of extorting. 50,000 dead for 1,000 freed.

[iemanja]

8. What a relief for them and their famlies

after an awful ordeal.

[twodogsbarking]

10. I wish the best for all. People are suffering and dying.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. This is how the exchange went down...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israeli-hostages-transferred-to-red-cross-in-chaotic-handover/vi-AA1y7Qst?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=1f171d22def640cd8a07e393c4605e6c&ei=26

[maxsolomon]

12. At least it went down.

I don't expect Hamas to make it dignified.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. True. Better moldy bready, than no bread.

[maxsolomon]

16. Ingesting mold is toxic.

I suppose that's your point?

[Behind the Aegis]

18. No, I was mimicking your point.

ETA: Meaning; it was better than nothing, even it is disgusting.

[EX500rider]

15. 5 of the released hostages were Thai farm workers

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj48qxd7jq5o

[obamanut2012]

17. I am so glad Berger was released

I know the other women recently released didn't want to leave without her.