In exchange, Israel was expected to begin releasing 110 security prisoners later Thursday. Plans for the release of the 110 prisoners had initially been halted over a mob that had formed in Khan Younis, where the handover of two Israeli and Five Thai hostages took place, with officials expressing concerns for their safety.
Israel said it had received a guarantee from mediators that the chaos seen in Khan Younis would not happen at future releases.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office stated, "Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand, the mediators made a commitment that our hostages will be guaranteed safe passageway in the next releases. Israel insists that lessons will be learned and that the next rounds will have greater care in ensuring the safe return of our hostages."
Two buses were seen leaving Ofer Prison in the West Bank at around 5 pm local time, and the Israel Prison Service confirmed around 7 pm that it had released the 110 prisoners. "Prison service troops are operating to release terrorists in line with the diplomatic deal for the return of the hostages, while in full coordination with all security services," it said.
Israeli officials told Thai counterparts that the Thai hostages are in "good condition" and will be brought to a hospital for further treatment. Berger was brought to Rabin Medical Center and was reunited with her family as well as her four comrades who had previously been released. Both Moses and Yehoud were also taken to hospitals.According to the Jerusalem Post, 29-year-old German-Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud was abducted by Palestinian terrorists from Nir Oz. She was supposed to be released last Saturday with four other female hostages but was held back after Hamas violated the agreement. Instead, Palestinian Islamic Jihad sent a proof of life video of her.
Agam Berger was the last remaining female IDF observation soldier in Hamas captivity. She was kidnapped from Nahal Oz on October 7.
Gadi Moses, who marked his 80th birthday in Hamas captivity in Gaza, was taken captive from outside his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 by Palestinian terrorists. His ex-wife Margalit Moses was also kidnapped by Hamas but released on November 24 after 49 days in captivity. His partner, Efrat Katz, was killed by Hamas. Katz's daughter and two grandchildren were also taken but subsequently released as part of the first hostage deal in November.
On Thursday morning, Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades deployed around the house of its former leader Yahya Sinwar in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, to prepare for the hostage release. Terrorists hung Palestinian flags and put up the backdrop seen in the last hostage release which called Zionists "Nazis," "criminals" and pigs while praising the Oct 7 atrocities. Hamas also released a proof-of-life video of Moses and Yehoud.