Hamas Is Expected to Release 8 Israeli and Thai Hostages

Hamas will release eight hostages on Thursday – three Israelis and five Thai nationals – After more than a year of captivity in Gaza, the Israeli government said on Wednesday night, since a fragile break is between the two sides held over the second week.

Israeli hostages intended for release include gadio Moses, 80; Arbel Yehud, 29; and Agam Berger, 20, according to Israeli authorities. In a statement of social media, Hamas confirmed that the three Israelites would be liberated. Neither Israel nor Hamas appointed the citizens of Thailand to be released.

According to the terms, Israel is expected to release more than 100 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostage published on Thursday, including about 30 serving of life penalties for involvement in deadly attacks against Israeli.

The edition is third, because Israel and Hamas observe a six -week truce, part of a multi -phase agreement for which mediators hope to end the war in Gaza. More than 45,000 people were killed there during the Israeli campaign against Hamas, according to health officers of Gazan, who do not distinguish civilians and fighters.

During the 42-day initial interruption, Hamas committed to free from at least 33 of the remaining 97 hostages in Gaza in exchange for the partial Israeli withdrawal and release over 1500 Palestinians in Israel prison. According to the terms of the agreement, Mrs Yehud – One of the last living women kept hostage – He should have been released last week at first.

When not released then, Israel replied by delaying passing Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians from their return to their homes in northern Gaza, as the agreement prescribed. The Israeli army allowed them to continue After the mediators announced On Sunday, they secured an obligation to release Mrs. Yehud.

All eight prisoners who are expected to be released are next abducted during Hamas who led Hamas on October 7, 2023, a sudden attack on southern Israel, who began the war. About 1,200 people were killed during the attack, mostly civilians, and another 250 hostages were taken, according to the Israeli government.

Two of Israel hostages are from Nir Oz, an Israeli community near the border with Gaza, which was one of the most difficult hits with attacks run by Hamas. More than 65 people were taken hostages from Nir Oz, and dozens were killed more.

Mr. Moses, an expert in agriculture, are abducted from his home during the Hamas attack. His partner Ephrate was killed during the attack, probably an Israeli helicopter It fired at a vehicle that lasted militants and hostages, according to the Israeli army.

Mrs. Yehud was abducted, as was her partner Ariel Cunio and his brother David’s family. The wife of David Cunio, Sharon and their two children were released more than 100 other hostages during a weekly tribute in November 2023. Mrs. Yehud Dolev’s brother was killed during the attack, towards the Israeli army. Ariel and David Cunio stay in Gaza.

Mrs. Berger, a young military recruit, was abducted during Hamas’ attack on Nahal Oz, a military base in which she served as a lookout. Four of the other spectators taken as hostage during the attack were posted on Saturday.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, confirmed in a telephone interview that five Thai workers would be announced on Thursday. Thai workers held Palestinian Islamic jihad, he said, referring to a smaller militant group in Gaza, different from Hamas.

The Thai Ambassador to Israel, Pannabha Chadraramya, also said that five of the eight remaining Thai hostages would be released on Thursday, although she said it was not yet clear what would be released.

Mrs. Chandraramy said that there were six living and two dead Thai hostages in Gaza in Gaza, all between the ages of 28 and 42. They were all abducted during the 2023 Hamas attack with four farms near the Gaza border, where they were employed as agricultural workers, she said.