Gaza updates: Hamas hands three Israeli captives to Red Cross in 5th swap

Saturday, February 8, 2025

09:17 GMT — Hamas has handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in central Gaza's Deir al Balah, live television showed.

The resistance group released Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy in the fifth prisoner-captive swap under a ceasefire deal with Israel.

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08:38 GMT — Two children killed in wall collapse in Gaza City after Israeli strike

Two Palestinian girls have been killed in the collapse of a concrete wall of a house struck by Israeli warplanes in Gaza City, local authorities have said.

Another child was injured in the collapse that took place as the children were playing near the house, Salama Marouf, who heads the media government office in Gaza, added on his X account.

"To stop the martyrs' death toll, it is crucial to expedite the entry of heavy machinery and equipment, provide fuel, and allow specialized technical teams to access the rubble and debris to assess partially destroyed homes," Marouf said.

08:28 GMT — Release of 183 Palestinian prisoners begins

Procedures for the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer, Negev prisons begin as they board buses, Israeli media has reported.

08:03 GMT — Red Cross team en route to collect Israeli captives in Gaza

A team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza are on the way to collect Israeli captives from Hamas, an official involved in the operation has said.

07:51 GMT — Israeli army raids homes of Palestinian detainees’ families ahead of their release

The Israeli army has launched a series of raids across the occupied West Bank targeting the homes of Palestinian detainees set to be released as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces stormed multiple homes, ransacked belongings, and issued warnings to families against celebrating their loved ones' release.

One of the targeted homes was that of senior Hamas leader Jamal Al-Tawil in Al-Bireh, where Israeli soldiers threatened his family with arrest if they held any celebrations.

06:49 GMT — Hamas prepares for 5th prisoner swap under ceasefire deal with Israel

Hamas’ armed wing, Qassam Brigades, has started preparations ahead of the fifth prisoner exchange with Israel as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement that took effect on Jan. 19.

According to an Anadolu correspondent, members of Qassam Brigades have been deployed in Deir al Balah in central Gaza in preparation for the handover of Israeli hostages to the International Red Cross Committee.

04:00 GMT — Israel to release 183 Palestinians; Hamas to free three Israelis

Hamas has named three Israeli captives set for release today in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire deal.

The latest exchange follows official statements in which authorities in Gaza accuse Israel of blocking humanitarian aid and essential supplies from entering the territory.