KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas 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, drew an angry protest from Israel.

Israel has reportedly lodged a formal protest with negotiators over the disorderly handover of hostages Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes to the Red Cross in Gaza. During the transfer in Khan Younis, the two civilian hostages were forced to navigate a chaotic scene,

Zakaria Zubeidi, a former leader of a Palestinian militant group jailed for attacks that killed several Israelis, is to be released Thursday as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.