Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed what he described as "shocking scenes" during the handover on Thursday of seven hostages including two Israelis. "I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening ... on the battlefield." "We eliminated [Yahya] Sinwar, [Mohammed] Deif and [Ismail] Haniyeh. We eliminated [Hassan] Nasrallah and ...

Sinwar was killed in this latest Israel-Hamas war, in which Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, vowed to dismantle and destroy Hamas. And yet, as a ceasefire took hold last Sunday after 15 months of massive destruction and death, Hamas – badly wounded and diminished – has survived and, at least for now, will remain in charge in Gaza.

It was Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath, when Steve Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver a stark message from his boss: It was time for a cease-fire deal in Gaza.

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.

Gadi Moses, 80, and Arbel Yehud, 29, were handed over to the Red Cross Thursday, along with five Thai hostages, following over a year spent in captivity.

Hamas released seven hostages, including two Israelis and five Thais, amid a ceasefire with Israel. The handover in Khan Yunis led to chaos as crowds gathered, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to condemn the scenes and demand hostages’ safety.

Hamas has released eight hostages five Thai farm workers and three dual German-Israeli nationals. That's in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Follow NBC News live updates for the latest coverage of the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

Israel is releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for five Thai and three Israeli hostages who Hamas freed from Gaza hours earlier.

Militants in the Gaza Strip released eight hostages on Thursday (Jan 30), handing them over to the Red Cross amid chaotic crowds as part of a swap that is set to see 110 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons later in the day.

Hamas-led militants have freed the first of eight hostages in the latest release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month. Israel was expected to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners.