Hamas has released eight hostages, including three Israelis and five Thais, on Thursday as part of a prisoner exchange deal, more than a year after they were captured during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
The first hostage to be released was Agam Berger, an Israeli army soldier, in a well-planned ceremony in northern Gaza. However, the second hostage release in southern Gaza turned chaotic as crowds surged forward to catch a glimpse of them.
The release of the hostages is part of a 42-day cease-fire agreement that began this month, halting the fighting between Israel and Hamas. Under the deal, Hamas agreed to gradually release 33 of the nearly 100 hostages remaining in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinians held by Israel and a partial Israeli withdrawal.
Here’s a closer look at the Israelis released on Thursday.
Agam Berger
Credit…Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
Ms. Berger, aged 19, was on lookout duty when Hamas militants attacked the Nahal Oz army base, killing over 50 soldiers and kidnapping her along with six other soldiers. Four of them were released earlier in an exchange on Saturday.
Ms. Berger’s mother, Meirav, last saw her daughter when she dropped her off at the base on Oct. 5, 2023, two days before the attack. According to her family’s website and accounts in Israeli media, Ms. Berger called her parents during the attack using a friend’s phone who was killed next to her. She reported hearing gunfire and crying but said she was not afraid.
In November 2023, Agam Goldstein-Almog, who was held captive with Ms. Berger, said she was kept in a tunnel with her and other captured soldiers. She mentioned Ms. Berger prayed a lot and seemed to be in good spirits.
Ms. Berger’s family celebrated her birthday in August at Tel Aviv’s Anu Museum of the Jewish People, focusing on music as she loves playing the violin. She has a twin sister and two other siblings.
Gadi Moses
Credit…Jehad Alshrafi/Associated Press
Gadi Moses, a farming expert, was abducted in Kibbutz Nir Oz after trying to reason with the militants outside his home.
His partner, Efrat Katz, hid in a safe room with her daughter and grandchildren before they were also taken. Ms. Katz was killed in an Israeli helicopter attack on the vehicle she was held in. Her daughter and grandchildren were released during the November 2023 cease-fire.
Mr. Moses, at age 79, appeared in a video released by Palestinian Islamic Jihad in December 2023, calling for his release. His family had no information on his status since September.
Arbel Yehud
Credit…Haitham Imad/EPA, via Shutterstock
Arbel Yehud, aged 28, was taken hostage with her boyfriend Ariel Cunio from their home on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Mr. Cunio is still believed to be in captivity. Her brother, Dolev Yehud, a medic, was initially thought to be a hostage but was later identified as killed in the Oct. 7 attack.
Ms. Yehud’s family described her as passionate about space and astronomy and worked as a guide at a space and technology center.
In February, her father avoided news to not raise his hopes, while her mother expressed her longing for her children’s return.
At a rally in Tel Aviv on Ms. Yehud’s 29th birthday in June, her close friend Shani Goren, a former hostage, spoke about the challenges of recovery.
Ms. Yehud’s expected release on Saturday sparked a dispute between Israel and Hamas. Israeli officials claimed she was not held by Hamas, suggesting another militant group was responsible for the delay. Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video in which she mentioned missing her family and hoped for a swift return, dated Jan. 25, which is typically coerced in hostage situations.