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Gadi Moses, Arbel Yehud, and Agam Berger—three Israeli captives held in Gaza—are set to be released on Thursday as Israel and Hamas engage in their third hostage-prisoner exchange. The latest swap, the result of protracted diplomatic efforts, highlights the delicate balance of negotiations as both parties remain locked in a broader, unresolved conflict.
Five Thai nationals, whose identities remain undisclosed, are also expected to be freed by Palestinian militants as part of the ongoing hostage-prisoner exchange. Israel, however, has raised concerns over the delayed release of Arbel Yehud, emphasizing that as a civilian woman, she was meant to be freed in the previous round of swaps under the recently enacted Gaza ceasefire.
Hamas’s failure to release Yehud as expected drew accusations from Israel of a ceasefire violation, prompting the government to halt the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. However, on Monday, following Hamas’s renewed promise to free Yehud and other captives, Israeli authorities lifted the restriction.
Here are details about them:
Gadi Moses, 80
For Israeli farmer Gadi Moses, Hamas’s October 7, 2023, assault brought unimaginable tragedy. His wife, Efrat Katz, 69, was killed in the attack, while other members of his German-Israeli family were taken hostage. They have since been released, but the loss remains.
Read also: Israeli Government To Convene For Ceasefire Discussions
Moses, who marked his 80th birthday in captivity, was initially attempting to negotiate with the attackers to secure his family’s safety when he, too, was taken hostage. In December 2023, the militant group Islamic Jihad released a video showing him alongside another hostage, 47-year-old Elad Katzir, who has since been killed.
Arbel Yehud, aged 29
Family members recall Arbel Yehud as a gentle soul with an unforgettable smile. She was abducted at 29, alongside her 26-year-old boyfriend, Ariel Cunio. Her brother, Dolev, 35, was killed in the October 7, 2023 attack. The trio had called the Nir Oz kibbutz home.
Yehud had a deep commitment to education, beginning her career within the Nir Oz kibbutz school system before taking on a guiding role at GrooveTech, a nearby center focused on space and technology..