Kidnapped Israeli soldier Agam Berger was released by Hamas, the first of three hostages due to be freed in Gaza on Thursday in connection with a weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and the militant group.

Israel says a Hamas list shows that eight of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire are dead.

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

A female Israeli soldier is released as the next hostage-prisoner exchange gets underway amid the ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas released four Israeli hostages in Gaza early Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released later in the day. It was the second release to occur as part of the ceasefire agreement that began last weekend. Israel followed with the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners.

Israel has failed to eliminate Hamas, a key goal of its war in Gaza, and the militant group has reasserted its rule in Gaza. Can that situation last?

Both the Trump and Biden administrations have publicly claimed credit for pushing the agreement over the line.

Some of the prisoners Israel is expected to release include 30 Palestinians that were given life sentences for deadly attacks against Israelis.

Israel delayed the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners for several hours after broadcast images showed crowds jostling and cheering in Gaza as Israeli and Thai hostages were handed over to the Red Cross earlier that day.

Israel had delayed their release in protest against the way the eight hostages freed by Hamas were treated as they were handed over to Red Cross staff in Khan Younis. View on euronews

Fifteen hostages have been released from more than 15 months of captivity in Gaza over the past two weeks. They have a long recovery ahead of them. One hostage who