Three Israeli Hostages and Five Thai Nationals Released After 16 Months in Captivity Due to Cease-Fire Agreement – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
11:34 AM – Thursday, January 30, 2025
On Thursday, three Israeli hostages, along with five Thai nationals abducted by Hamas, were released following 16 months in captivity. This marked the third hostage exchange associated with the new cease-fire agreement in Gaza.
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The released hostages included Agam Berger, 19, Arbel Yehud, 29, and Gadi Moses, 80, who were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross after Hamas collaborated to facilitate the exchange in the Gaza Strip.
In a concerning twist, the hostages were compelled to participate in a Hamas parade celebrating the exchange and are currently on their way to meet Israeli soldiers who will escort them home.
Burger was the final female IDF soldier held by Hamas after the group released four of her fellow soldiers last week, alongside others taken during the October 7th attacks.
The hostages, who were detained together, were joyfully reunited shortly after Berger’s return.
Berger’s unexpected omission from last week’s exchange raised alarm over the cease-fire agreement, as it was stipulated that female civilians should be released prior to soldiers.
The handover of Yehud, Moses, and the five Thai residents was executed in a manner that was hazardous and uncontrolled early Thursday afternoon, taking place outside the wreckage of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s home, surrounded by numerous masked gunmen and hostile crowds.
Despite this, Yehud and Moses were subjected to walk through the crowds flanked by armed gunmen, from the vehicles that brought them to the Red Cross vehicles amidst chaotic scenes.
Both Berger and the Thai nationals were detained by Hamas, while Yehud and Moses were held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the handover as unacceptable, issuing a statement shortly after the release. “I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu remarked. “This is further evidence of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization.”
In response, Israel postponed the release of Palestinian prisoners in protest against the handover. Netanyahu’s office stated the nation would not proceed “until the safe passage of our hostages can be assured in subsequent releases.”
Moses and Yehud were abducted from their homes in Kibbutz Nir Oz, where Hamas terrorists also took the life of Moses’ partner, Efrat Katz.
Moses’ ex-wife, Margalit Moses, along with their daughter and two grandchildren, were also kidnapped and later released during the first hostage exchange in November 2023.
Concerns about Moses’ health had escalated during his 481 days in captivity; he turned 80 while being held in March.
With the release of the five Thai nationals, officials noted that only three Thai men remain in captivity.
Overall, amid the turmoil, Hamas kidnapped 33 Thai nationals during the October 7th assault, with many of them working on farms in southern Israel at the time of the attack.
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