Israel Defence Forces soldier Agam Berger, 20, was freed by Hamas terrorists on Thursday as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, 482 days after she was taken captive during the October 7 massacre.
“Agam Berger, accompanied by IDF and [Israel Security Agency] forces, recently crossed the border into the territory of the State of Israel and is currently on her way to the initial absorption point in the Gaza border area, where she will meet her parents,” the military confirmed.
Berger, who was taken by Hamas from the IDF field observers’ base in Nahal Oz, was transferred into International Committee of the Red Cross custody following a handover ceremony in Jabalia in Gaza’s north.
Israeli civilians Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Mozes, 80, are expected to be freed later in the day, in addition to five Thais.
Mozes was taken from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz with his wife, Margalit, who was one of the first hostages released during the November 2023 Israel-Hamas truce.
The two were reportedly held by Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists who participated in the October 7 attack alongside Hamas.
Islamic Jihad issued a statement on Thursday morning saying that it “completed the procedures for handing over the hostages Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes,” in what Hebrew media interpreted as the terrorist organisation having transferred the two into Hamas captivity.
Israeli officials previously told Hebrew media the hostages could be freed separately, possibly in multiple locations throughout the Strip.
Arab media reported on Thursday morning that Palestinian terrorists were also seen preparing for the hostages’ handover to representatives of the Red Cross in the southern city of Khan Younis.
Jerusalem is preparing to free several high-profile Palestinian terrorists in exchange for the hostages, Hebrew media reported on Wednesday.
Among the 110 terrorists scheduled to be released are Zakaria Zubeidi, Mohammad Abu Warda and Sami Jaradat, according to Channel 12.
Zubeidi led Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in the West Bank city of Jenin and briefly escaped from Israel’s high-security Gilboa Prison in September 2021.
Since Zubeidi was not convicted of murder but of other terror offences, he will not be deported and is expected to be released back to the West Bank.
The IDF said on Thursday morning that it had completed “preparations for the next wave of released terrorists, by reinforcing defence at checkpoints and in various sectors.”
The IDF voted to take immediate action against expected “disturbances and terror activities” surrounding the release of terrorists into the area.
Shin Bet also made “warning calls” to families of terrorists who are expected to be released, it noted.
