India, Jan. 30 -- Militant group Hamas freed eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but the chaotic handover of some of the captives, who were shuttled through a rowdy crowd of thousands by masked militants, drew an angry protest from Israel.

Agam Berger, 20, was among five young, female soldiers abducted when militants overran the Nahal Oz military base during the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war, killing over 60 soldiers there. The other four were released on Saturday.

Also freed Thursday were a 29-year-old Israeli woman and an 80-year-old Israeli man. Five Thai nationals who were in Israel doing farm work when they were taken captive were also released.

In the ceasefire's first phase, Is...