Hamas releases 33 hostages, including one American and five Thai nationals, while Israel frees nearly 2,000 Palestinians

By the terms of the January 2025, Israel-Hamas Cease-fire agreement, Hamas had released 33 hostages, which included one American and five Thai nationals,  while Israel freed nearly 2,000 Palestinians from jails, held for various reasons. To sustain implementation of the agreement, into a second and third phase, Qatar, Egypt and the US were vigorously engaged in sustaining the cease-fire’s duration.