Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were freed earlier in what PM Benjamin Netanyahu called "shocking scenes".

Hamas freed three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza on Thursday, and Israel began releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process in anger at the swarming crowds at one of the hostage handover points.

RAMALLAH, West Bank — The first three hostages were released from Gaza and the first Palestinian prisoners were freed from Israeli custody as the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold following 15 months of war, with mixed emotions and more difficult steps ahead over the next six weeks.

Hamas on Thursday is expected to free three Israeli hostages and five Thai hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of 110 Palestinian prisoners.

Hamas is set to free three more Israeli hostages as well as five Thai captives, and Israel is to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners

The increasingly theatrical and threatening events have angered Israel and put a cease-fire deal at risk.

Five Thai nationals freed by Hamas on Thursday (January 30) were welcomed by ambassador Pannabha Chandraramya and Shamir Medical Centre staff waving Thai and Israeli flags. Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham,