Israeli hostage Agam Berger, the first of eight captives in Gaza due to be returned today, has been freed this morning.
The release of Berger, 20, will be followed by civilians Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gadi Moshe Mozes, 80.
Five Thai nationals are also expected to be released, following separate negotiations through Thai diplomatic channels. They are yet to be named.
At least 31 Thais were kidnapped during the October 7 massacres in southern Israel, and six remain alive Gaza.
They have been named as Surasak Lamnau, Pingsa Nattapong, Bannawat Seathao, Sathian Suwankam, Sriaoun Watchara, and Pongsak Tanna.
The bodies of Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasr, who were confirmed dead by officials, are believed to remain in the Strip.
The Thai agricultural workers were abducted from farms close to the Gaza border during the terrorist incursion into southern Israel.
“Thailand has dominated the foreign migrant worker market in Israeli agriculture for the past decade,” said Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch.
“As many as 20,000 Thai workers were living on various remote farms and desert areas all over Israel, including areas close to the Gaza Strip so it isn’t surprising at all that many were right in harm’s way when Hamas fighters arrived.”
Berger, who was handed over to Red Cross officials this morning, was one of the seven female IDF spotters who warned Israel of Hamas’ imminent attack on October 7.
A photo shows freed hostages Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Karina Ariev and Daniella Gilboa watching as as their comrade, Berger, returned to Israel.
She was kidnapped while stationed at the Nahal Oz base and she was seen in a video released by Hamas during her abduction.
Arbel Yehoud, 29, was kidnapped alongside her partner Ariel Cunio, 27, from Nir Oz. He is yet to be released from Gaza.
Ariel’s brother Eitan, who escaped from Hamas operatives, later told the JC Ariel’s last message: "We are in a horror movie."
Gadi Moshe Mozes, 80, is the final Israeli hostage expected to be released this morning.
The agricultural expert was also taken from Nir Oz during the attack.
His partner, Efrat Katz, was killed, and his family has not received any information about him since December 2023, when he appeared in a Hamas propaganda video.
