The latest hostage exchange saw eight captives, including three Israelis and five Thai nationals, released from Gaza, while Israel freed more than 100 Palestinian prisoners
Eight more hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel were released from Gaza on Thursday under the ongoing ceasefire deal. Among them were three Israeli citizens—IDF soldier Agam Berger, 20, Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80—along with five Thai nationals. Their return comes after 482 days in captivity.
Berger, abducted from the Nahal Oz military base, was held by Hamas, while Yehoud and Mozes were captives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Thai hostages, who were working in Israel at the time of the attack, have been identified as Pongsak Thanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao, and Surasak Lamnao.
In northern Gaza’s Jabalia, Berger was paraded on a stage, surrounded by masked Hamas operatives. Dressed in an outfit mimicking an IDF uniform, she waved to a gathered crowd before being handed to Red Cross representatives. She was then transported to IDF forces inside Gaza and escorted out of the Strip.
At the Rabin Medical Center, Berger’s fellow released hostages—four other IDF soldiers—reacted with joy, with hospital officials describing an emotional moment as they watched her release on live broadcasts. They have chosen to remain hospitalized for a few extra days to stay by her side.
Elsewhere, the remaining seven hostages were released amid a chaotic scene in Khan Yunis, where they were handed over in a convoy surrounded by masked gunmen and large crowds. Their return follows weeks of intense negotiations and international mediation.
At the same time, Israel agreed to release more than 100 Palestinian prisoners, including individuals convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis. The list included Zakaria Zubeidi, a prominent figure from the Second Intifada, who had escaped Israeli prison in 2021 before being recaptured. Some of the freed Palestinian detainees were expelled abroad as part of the conditions of their release.
The swap led to widespread celebrations on both sides. In Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, family members, friends, and hundreds of fellow citizens gathered to celebrate the return of the freed captives, with supporters braiding their hair in tribute to Berger, who had braided fellow hostages’ hair in captivity. Family and friends at her home in Holon rejoiced, calling her return a “miracle” after months of uncertainty. In Palestinian towns, crowds welcomed the released prisoners as heroes, with large gatherings taking place in the West Bank.
The shocking scenes of hostages being paraded through a hostile crowd must not be repeated
Despite the successful exchange, the process was not without controversy. The chaotic nature of the handover in Khan Yunis drew condemnation from Israeli officials, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding future transfers be conducted in a more controlled manner. “The shocking scenes of hostages being paraded through a hostile crowd must not be repeated,” Netanyahu’s office stated. As a result, ceasefire mediators secured assurances from Hamas that future exchanges would guarantee safe passage.
The return of the Thai hostages brought relief to their families, many of whom had waited in uncertainty for over a year. Thailand’s foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, is scheduled to visit Israel to oversee their recovery and facilitate their return home. The Thai hostages were agricultural workers abducted from Israeli farms near the Gaza border during the Hamas-led attack, which killed dozens of Thai nationals. The release of the Thai hostages was especially emotional for their families, many of whom had remained in close contact with Thai government officials in the hopes of securing their loved ones’ freedom. Some family members spoke to Thai media, expressing both immense joy and lingering worry for the well-being of other nationals still unaccounted for.
The ceasefire deal remains fragile, with Hamas agreeing to release additional hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Under the terms of the agreement, at least 33 hostages are expected to be released in return for over 1,500 Palestinian detainees. The ceasefire has also allowed for the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, where conditions have deteriorated due to ongoing Israeli military operations against Hamas infrastructure.
Everyone must be brought home immediately so that we can heal as a society
The hostage release has reignited discussions over the fate of those still held in Gaza. Families of the remaining captives have urged the Israeli government to continue negotiations until all hostages are freed. “Everyone must be brought home immediately so that we can heal as a society,” Yehoud’s family said in a statement.
International reaction to the exchange has been mixed. The United Nations and humanitarian organizations have welcomed the releases, calling for further negotiations to ensure the return of all hostages. The US and European nations have also reiterated their support for diplomatic efforts to end the crisis. Meanwhile, Israeli security officials have continued to voice concerns over the long-term implications of releasing prisoners with ties to past attacks, fearing that some may re-engage in violence in the future.
Amid ongoing negotiations, discussions have also turned to the impact on Israeli and Palestinian public opinion. In Israel, pressure has mounted on the government to secure the release of the remaining hostages, while many Palestinians see the prisoner release as a victory against Israeli policies. The prisoner exchange has further deepened divisions within the Israeli government, with some officials arguing for a more aggressive military approach to free hostages, while others insist on the necessity of diplomatic negotiations.
As the ceasefire agreement continues to unfold, the next round of negotiations will be critical in determining the fate of the remaining hostages and the stability of the temporary truce. For now, the latest release brings relief to the families of those freed, but uncertainty remains over the fate of those still in captivity.