Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Mozes, 5 Thais released amid chaos in Gaza

JERUSALEM – The release of Agam Berger at around 10:00 a.m. local time Thursday seemed almost disciplined in comparison with the dumpster fire of chaos that surrounded the moment Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Mozes and five Thai nationals were transferred to Red Cross vehicles in Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad rather than Hamas held Yehoud and Mozes for the 482 days they were in captivity, although both their fighters and Hamas terrorists swarmed the ICRC vehicles awaiting the almost former hostages, ironically not far from the remains of the house in which Yahya Sinwar was killed. The Red Cross vehicles in which they were originally brought to the site could not be moved because of the violent chaos in the crowd.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

“I view with utmost severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages. This is additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas terrorist organization.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) January 30, 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his outrage at the scenes labeling it “additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas terrorist organization.” Further he demanded from the mediators to “make certain such terrible scenes do not recur, and guarantee the safety of our hostages.” Prior to this latest batch of releases, entreaties were made to the International Red Cross, which it should be remembered never visited the hostages even once nor ensured delivery of medicines or medical treatment, to do their utmost to prevent the terrible imagery of previous handovers. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, those requests fell on deaf ears as the Palestinian terrorist groups do their utmost to crank up the psychological trauma yet further; Arbel Yehoud looked genuinely petrified, just as she drew near to the end of her unimaginable ordeal.

The usually more placid Israeli President Isaac Herzog joined the chorus denouncing the chaos at the handover, saying “While the scenes of abuse and terror toward 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, Gadi Mozes, along with five Thai citizens released today.”

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.

Agam was… pic.twitter.com/3br1kAU6bX

— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) January 30, 2025

The five Thai civilians, who were kidnapped on Oct. 7, 2023, while working as agricultural laborers, are named as Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak, according to the prime minister’s office. A sixth Thai, Pinta Nattapong is considered by Israel to be alive and still in captivity, while Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri have been declared dead with their bodies still held hostage. In the November 2023 hostage release, some 23 Thai nationals were freed.

Meanwhile, Israel’s health ministry said medical teams at the Rabin Medical Center are “fully prepared” to receive Agam Berger and provide her with “comprehensive medical care, including psychological support.”

President Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff told reporters in Tel Aviv an American hostage was slated to be released “tomorrow.” He said about the efforts to ensure the U.S. hostages are returned, “we’re on top of it all – one is coming out tomorrow.”

It isn’t clear if he misspoke, because according to the hostage release schedule, the next cohort of three captives due for release is on Saturday, not Friday. It had been hoped American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel was going to be freed Thursday along with Berger and Yehoud, but Mozes was released instead of him.

The other hostages with U.S. citizenship who are believed to still be alive are Edan Alexander from New Jersey – who is not slated for release in the first stage – and Sagui Dekel-Chen, who is expected to be freed in the coming weeks. Dekel-Chen has yet to meet his youngest child, a daughter, who was born while he has been in captivity.