Eight hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were released on Thursday as part of the ceasefire deal. Why it matters: The release was an important benchmark: There are now no more women who are believed to be alive that are held hostage by Hamas.

Eight of the remaining hostages set to be released by Hamas in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel are dead, according to an Israeli government spokesperson.

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

Hamas on Wednesday gave to Israel the names of the next three hostages to be freed, including Arbel Yehoud, a female civilian whose freedom has been a point of tension.

Mughrabi, Emily Rose and Maayan Lubell CAIRO/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Palestinian militants began handing over three Israeli hostages in Gaza on Thursday in return for 110 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the latest stage of a ceasefire deal.

The fragility of the truce between Israel and Hamas was laid bare on Saturday, after Israel accused Hamas of withholding a hostage, prompting a halt in the movement of Gazan civilians back to their homes in the north.

Hamas is due to free three Israeli hostages on Thursday in return for the release of more than 100 Palestinian prisoners, in the third exchange under a fragile truce that took effect in Gaza this month.

Tel Aviv [Israel], January 30 (ANI): 482 days since being held in captivity by Hamas after the horrific October 7 attack, Israeli hostage Agam Berger, 20, was freed in Gaza early Thursday (local time) as part of the latest prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas.