On Thursday, three Israeli hostages, including two female soldiers and an 80-year-old man, were released by Hamas and its allies in Gaza as part of the ongoing ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The exchange also included the release of five foreign nationals and dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Details of Thursday’s Hostage Release
The first Israeli hostage freed on Thursday was 20-year-old Agam Berger, a female soldier who had been captured by Hamas on October 7, 2023, during the group’s deadly attack on Israel. Berger was taken hostage along with six others from her unarmed, all-female military surveillance unit. She was handed over to the Red Cross in the ruins of Gaza’s Jabalia Refugee Camp and later reunited with her family.
The other hostages released included:
- Arbel Yehoud, a 29-year-old female soldier
- Gadi Moses, an 80-year-old man and the oldest Israeli hostage
All three were transferred from Red Cross care to Israeli forces, where they underwent medical evaluations.
Chaotic Handovers Amid Armed Crowds
The handover of Yehoud and Moses occurred later in the day near the home of a deceased Hamas commander in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The scene was chaotic, with large crowds of armed militants, journalists, and civilians surrounding the hostages as they were escorted to waiting Red Cross vehicles.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the chaotic transfer, calling it “shocking” and accusing Hamas of cruelty. In response, Hamas described the event as a demonstration of “determination and defiance” by the Palestinian people.
Palestinian Prisoner Exchange
As part of the agreement, Israel released 110 Palestinian detainees from its prisons on Thursday. The swap is part of a six-week ceasefire deal, during which Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in phases.
The next exchange is scheduled for Saturday, during which male hostages are expected to be released.
Crossing the Netzarim Corridor
The recent exchange also included an agreement to allow displaced Palestinians to cross back into northern Gaza through the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the north and south of the enclave. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have returned to the north, many finding their homes destroyed or family members missing.
Remaining Hostages and International Involvement
Despite the progress, 82 hostages remain in Gaza, including seven dual U.S. nationals, such as:
- Keith Siegel, 65, from Chapel Hill, NC
- Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, who grew up in Bloomfield, CT
- Edan Alexander, 19, from Tenafly, NJ
Four Americans are confirmed dead, and negotiations continue to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
The current ceasefire agreement, in place since January 19, has facilitated significant progress in freeing hostages and exchanging detainees. However, with dozens still held in Gaza and a humanitarian crisis worsening, much depends on the success of the ceasefire’s second phase. Both sides face intense pressure to maintain the fragile truce while working toward broader, more challenging negotiations.