Gaza: New Release of Israeli Hostages Begins
Three Israeli hostages were released Thursday, along with two German nationals and five Thai laborers. Israel will release 110 Palestinian prisoners
The truce in Gaza remains in place, and Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza began releasing more hostages on Thursday morning (January 30). Live TV coverage showed 20-year-old Israeli soldier Agam Berger (pictured above) being handed over by masked gunmen to representatives of the International Red Cross.
In a square in Tel Aviv, several hundred people watched the release of Agam Berger on giant screens next to a large clock counting down the days of the hostages’ captivity. Some of the attendees held placards that read: “Agam, we are waiting for you at home.” Berger was one of five young female soldiers kidnapped in the October 7, 2023 attack. The other four were released on Saturday, January 25.
Berger’s transfer took place in the heavily destroyed Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. Another such event is scheduled for Thursday, January 30, in the southern town of Khan Yunis, in front of the destroyed house of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, who was assassinated by Israel on October 16, 2024. In addition to the Israeli hostages, Hamas militants will also have to release two hostages with dual German-Israeli citizenship: 29-year-old Arbel Yehud and 80-year-old Gadi Moses. Finally, five Thai workers will be released.
The information published on Thursday, January 30, is the third such publication since the ceasefire in Gaza went into effect earlier this month. For its part, Israel is expected to release another 110 Palestinian prisoners.