The women are the first three hostages to be released under the newly implemented ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas

Eight hostages − three Israelis and five Thai nationals − were returned to Israel Thursday after spending 482 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza. They were freed in an at-times chaotic handover in connection with a weekslong ceasefire and hostages-for-prisoners swap between Israel and the militant group aimed at ending 15 months of fighting.