Hamas-led militants freed eight hostages on Thursday as part of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, but the chaotic handover of some of the captives, who were shuttled through a rowdy crowd of thousands by masked militants,

Hamas freed the first of eight hostages on Thursday in the latest release since a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip took hold earlier this month. Militants handed female Israeli soldier Agam Berger, 20, to the Red Cross after parading her in front of a crowd in the heavily destroyed urban refugee camp of Jabaliya in northern Gaza.

Steven Witkoff, who played an important role in brokering the truce between Israel and Hamas, also met with Israel’s prime minister and visited Saudi Arabia.

Israel has failed to eliminate Hamas, a key goal of its war in Gaza, and the militant group has reasserted its rule in Gaza. Can that situation last?

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

The return of fighters to Gaza streets highlights how Israeli bombardment has failed to achieve Netanyahu’s goal or eradicating Hamas as a political force.

The return to the status quo was clearly evident Sunday when the terrorist group and its supporters brazenly paraded around Gaza City’s Saraya Square during the first day of the cease-fire,

The release was delayed by a chaotic scene in which a crowd of Palestinians surrounded and jeered at hostages as they were turned over to the Red Cross.

In exchange, Israel was expected to free 110 Palestinian prisoners. But the prime minister’s office said their release was being delayed because of chaos around Thursday’s hostage handover in Gaza.

The first of eight hostages to be released Thursday, Agam Berger, was set free by Hamas in the Gaza Strip as part of the deal struck between the militant group and Israel in an ongoing ceasefire. Hamas is set to free two more Israeli hostages in exchange for 110 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.

The hostages are the second set to be released since the multiphase agreement came into effect, raising hopes for a lasting end to the war.