Three Israeli and five Thai hostages are set to be released by Hamas as part of a fragile ceasefire
In a significant development, Hamas is set to release three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals on Thursday, according to officials from both the militant group and Israel. The release marks another step in a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which began earlier this month after 15 months of intense conflict.
The Israeli hostages set to be freed are two women, Agam Berger, 20, and Arbel Yehoud, 29, as well as Gadi Moses, 80. The identities of the five Thai nationals have not been disclosed at this time.
The hostages were among the many taken during Hamas’s attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, which led to the capture of over 100 Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as foreign nationals working in Israel. This release is part of a series of exchanges facilitated by the ceasefire, where Hamas is gradually releasing hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
This phase of the release had not been initially scheduled but came after a dispute between Hamas and Israel regarding the identities of hostages freed over the weekend. Israel had demanded that Yehoud, a civilian, be included in the release group, and when she was not freed, it led to a delay in the movement of Palestinian civilians trying to return to their homes in northern Gaza.
Hamas has pledged to continue releasing hostages in phases, with another release planned for Saturday that will free male hostages. The ongoing exchanges are part of the fragile peace agreement, which has brought a temporary halt to the violence between the two parties.
In addition to the release of hostages, dozens of Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be freed in the coming days, a move that is part of the broader negotiation efforts to end the ongoing conflict. This agreement has been a source of relief for many, though concerns about the long-term stability of the ceasefire remain.
As the situation continues to evolve, displaced Palestinians are making their way back to their homes, often encountering extensive damage as they return to what remains of their communities in northern Gaza. The fate of these areas remains uncertain, but the ceasefire provides a glimmer of hope for those affected by the ongoing violence.
