Kidnapped Israeli soldier Agam Berger was released by Hamas, the first of three hostages due to be freed in Gaza on Thursday in connection with a weeks-long ceasefire between Israel and the militant group.

Hamas began the process of freeing three more Israeli hostages and five Thai captives on Thursday, the third such release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month. Israel was expected to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners.