On Thursday, Palestinian militants began handing over three Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners as part of the latest phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Terrorist groups handed over 21-year-old soldier Agam Berger from Holon, captured on October 7 at the Nahal Oz outpost, 29-year-old Arbel Yehud, and 80-year-old Gadi Moses from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Five Thai citizens — agricultural workers captured by militants on October 7, 2023 — will also be released. They will be released without any compensation as a gesture of goodwill, reported the Israeli Channel 9, without specifying details of their release.
Hamas held a parade before the release of the hostages. Agam Berger was handed over to Red Cross representatives at the stand in Jabalia.
80-year-old Gadi Moses and 29-year-old Arbel Yahud embraced in the presence of militants in black uniforms at another exchange location in Khan Yunis, in southern Gaza, as shown in a video released by Hamas ally "Islamic Jihad."
An Israeli official told Reuters that the three hostages would be taken to three different hospitals in Israel. Israelis began gathering at Hostage Square, the central square of Tel Aviv, which has become a venue for campaigns in support of prisoners held in Gaza.
In response to the release of the hostages, Israel will release 110 Palestinian prisoners convicted of security offenses, including 33 terrorists sentenced to at least one life sentence for killing Israelis.
Three Israeli civilians and four female soldiers were released as part of a truce that began on January 19. In return, Israel released 290 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
On October 7, 2023, 250 hostages were kidnapped. About half of them were released during the only previous truce, and the rest were found alive or dead during the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Photo: Reuters