BREAKING: 8 HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW – Everything We Know
Three Israeli hostages: Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Mozes, along with 5 Thai nationals are set to be released tomorrow from captivity in Gaza. The release tomorrow will be between 10:30 and 12:00. Before the handover of the hostages, a Hamas demonstration is planned, according to breaking reports.
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In a significant development, eight hostages, including three Israeli citizens and five Thai nationals, are set to be released tomorrow from Hamas captivity. Unlike previous releases, this swap will not involve Palestinian prisoners, marking a shift in the ongoing efforts to secure the return of hostages held in Gaza.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed this afternoon that Israel has received the list of individuals who will be freed, including the three Israeli hostages: Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Mozes. Additionally, five Thai citizens, who have been held since the October 7, 2023 attacks, will also be released.
A Step Forward in Hostage Relief
The PMO issued a statement highlighting that the list of hostages to be freed is acceptable to Israel. However, they emphasized that more detailed information will be provided once the families are officially informed. As of now, the three Israeli names on the list are confirmed: Arbel Yehud, 29, Agam Berger, 19, and the oldest among them, 80-year-old Gadi Mozes.
This release is especially poignant given the background of some of these hostages. Arbel Yehud, a civilian, was initially set to be freed last week but was delayed after Hamas violated the ceasefire agreement. Agam Berger, a member of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) who was serving as a lookout, was separated from her fellow soldiers, who were released earlier. Gadi Mozes, at 80, will be the first male hostage to be freed under this current ceasefire arrangement.
Updates and Emotional Messages
In a powerful moment earlier this week, Hamas released a video of Arbel Yehud, in which she reassured her family with a heartfelt message, saying, "I am fine, I miss you endlessly and hope to return to you soon." Despite the tension, this video offered hope to her family and others anxiously awaiting the release of loved ones.
In addition to these three Israeli hostages, 5 Thai nationals—who have been held since the same horrific October attacks—will also be freed, offering a rare moment of good news for their families.
The Ceasefire Deal and Hostage Returns
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, living hostages like Yehud, Berger, and Mozes are prioritized for release over the remains of deceased hostages. This complex arrangement includes an exchange of Palestinian prisoners. In return for the release of each civilian hostage, Israel will free 30 Palestinian security prisoners, and in Berger’s case, 50 prisoners, including 30 who are convicted terrorists serving life sentences.
This development is seen as a crucial step in the ongoing international efforts to secure the safe return of hostages still held in Gaza, including 10 elderly hostages and two young children from the Bibas family, two-year-old Kfir Bibas and five-year-old Ariel Bibas.
Looking Ahead
As the clock ticks toward tomorrow's release, families of the hostages are eagerly awaiting reunion, but the situation remains fragile, and there are many more still held in captivity. With mediation from Egypt and Qatar, the hope is that tomorrow’s release will be a significant milestone in the complex negotiations to bring all hostages home safely.
Israel national news contributed to this article.