KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — 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.

The exchange of hostages for prisoners is a key part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas has suffered a major blow amid the ceasefire in Gaza. The death of Hamas commander Marwan Issa has been confirmed in an Israeli attack. Marwan's death occurred in an Israeli airstrike shortly before the ceasefire was implemented in Gaza.

Israel’s 15-month campaign has depleted the group’s military strength, sapped its political influence and opened a leadership void inside the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has confirmed for the first time that Israeli killed the head of its military wing, Mohammed Deif, in an airstrike last year. Deif was one of the alleged masterminds

"We were shot at by women and elderly carrying weapons," said one Hamas terrorist attempting to justify the massacre at Kibbutz Beeri, which took the lives of over 100 civilians.

The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has announced that its military chief, Mohammed Deif, was killed by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.

Deif was targeted in a strike at Hamas' Khan Younis Brigade commander Rafa'a Salameh's compound in Khan Younis area on July 13

Hamas confirmed on Thursday the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of its military wing, six months after Israel announced he was killed. This is the first statement Hamas' armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades,

A ceasefire does not follow ... The Israeli military confirmed that the head of Hamas‘ military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July. Israel targeted Deif in a ...

Hamas has for the first time confirmed the death of the group's military chief Mohammed Deif, believed to be one of the key architects behind the October 7 attacks in southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.