After 482 days held hostage in Gaza, 29-year-old Arbel Yehoud, 20-year-old Agam Berger and 80-year-old Gadi Mozes, along with five Thai nationals, are finally home.
Agam Berger was reunited with her parents Shlomi and Merav at an IDF facility next to the Gaza border this morning, and then with her siblings at the hospital in Israel.
Hamas, which was holding Agam and the Thai hostages, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which held the other two Israelis, again staged horrific displays for the hostages' release.
Arbel and Gadi were released outside the destroyed home of now-deceased Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar, surrounded by hundreds of masked terrorists and mobs of screaming Palestinian men dressed in civilian clothing.
Arbel and Gadi walked through the violent crowds, guided by terrorists, to the Red Cross vehicles that were to deliver them to the IDF.
Agam was released from Hamas captivity in a staged ceremony similar to how the four Israeli women released last Saturday were, surrounded by masked Hamas terrorists and forced to wear fake IDF uniforms.
Prime Minister Netanyahu called the scenes of the hostage release "unacceptable," and "demands the negotiators ensure that such horrific scenes do not occur again, and to guarantee the safety of our hostages."
"Whoever dares to harm our hostages — will pay."
Agam was transported by the Red Cross to IDF forces inside Gaza. The IDF took her to a military facility near the border to reunite her with her parents and receive a medical screening.
She was then taken by an IDF helicopter with her parents to the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva. On the helicopter, she held a sign that read, "I chose a path of faith and I returned through a path of faith. Thank you to all the people of Israel and its heroic IDF soldiers! There’s nobody like you in the world!"
The four Israeli soldiers released on Saturday — Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag — all of whom were taken hostage and held with Agam for much of their captivity, requested to stay in the hospital to be with Agam as she begins her recovery.
The four women watched the hostage release take place this morning and were reunited with Agam at the hospital in Israel.
Agam is from Holon, where she lives with her twin sister and two younger brothers. She is an accomplished violinist who dedicates her time to volunteering with at-risk youth. Agam had arrived at the Nahal Oz base just two days before October 7 to serve as an observer.
Arbel and Gadi along with the five Thais were also escorted out of Gaza by the IDF and taken to medical facilities.
Gadi's family said they had "received with great excitement the wonderful news of our beloved Gadi’s return."
Gadi is from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where he established himself as an expert agronomist who frequently lectured on agriculture. He was a founding member of the kibbutz's vineyard and helped maintain its community vegetable garden. His family describes him as a devoted family man and a loving grandfather, known for his sociable nature and his belief in human goodness and coexistence. On October 7, he was taken captive from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, where his partner Efrat was murdered.
Gadi (center right) reunited with his children Iddo, Moran and Yair.
Arbel was reunited with her family at the IDF facility near the Gaza border and was then taken to a hospital in Israel. She is receiving special medical treatment due to the fact that was held in total isolation during the entirety of her captivity.
Arbel is also from Kibbutz Nir Oz, where her family has been living for three generations. She works at the Center for Technology, Science and Space at the Eshkol Regional Council. Arbel is known in her community as a devoted aunt, often seen spending time with her nephews around the kibbutz. On October 7, she was at her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz with her partner Ariel Cunio. Her partner Ariel and his brother David Cunio remain in captivity. Her brother Dolev Yehoud was initially considered a hostage, but in June his remains were found and he was declared deceased.
Arbel embraces her family.
The Thai nationals were taken to Shamir Medical Center where they were met by Thai officials. A special area was established at the center to receive them, and Thai restaurants in Tel Aviv provided them with familiar food.
Following the hostage release, IDF spokesperson LTC Nadav Shoshani said:
"As always I salute and embrace the returning hostages and their families.
We cannot and will not forget for a moment, the 82 hostages that remain in Hamas captivity - including Shiri Bibas and her two young children, Kfir and Ariel, whose welfare is of grave concern....
We are preparing for the return of additional hostages this Saturday.
Our mission is not over until every single hostage comes home."
"While the scenes of abuse and terror towards the hostages as they were transferred to the Red Cross were horrifying, we are moved to tears by the return from captivity of Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud, and Gadi Mozes, along with the five Thai citizens released today... they have endured hell with unparalleled bravery, and they are finally reunited with their wonderful families and loved ones.
We will not rest and we will not be silent until every one of our sisters and brothers have been returned from captivity in Gaza. Till the last one returns!"
This deal to free the hostages is possible because of the heroic Israeli soldiers who have fought courageously to degrade and destroy terrorists on its borders, and thanks to the strong American support for our ally throughout this war.
82 hostages, including seven Americans, remain in Hamas captivity.
The United States must increase the pressure on Hamas and its allies in Iran, Qatar and Turkey to ensure the terror group fully adheres to the agreement and releases the hostages.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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