Israel also released 110 Palestinian prisoners. The swaps are a key part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the war.

Hamas released eight hostages on Thursday — five Thai farm workers and three dual German-Israeli nationals — in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Three more Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released by Palestinian militants from captivity and returned to Israel, after being held for more than 15 months in Gaza.

By bnm Tel Aviv bureau Hamas has belatedly confirmed for the first time that its senior military commander, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an Israeli airstrike last year in Gaza's Khan Younis area, along with his deputy Marwan Issa.

Hamas confirmed the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif on Thursday. "The Al-Qassam Brigades announce (...) the martyrdom of a group of

Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 ... military confirmed that the head of Hamas‘ military wing, Mohammed Deif, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July.

Israel has failed to defeat Hamas, but Palestinians in Gaza express mixed feelings about the group remaining in power.

The episode uncovers details about Hamas' preparations for the surprise attack in southern Israel which would trigger the 15-month war in Gaza.