Hamas releases woman hostage in third exchange
Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, handed over Israeli soldier Agam Berger on Thursday as part of a third hostage-prisoner exchange under a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war.
The exchange also involved the release of three Israelis and five Thai captives, with the handover taking place at the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. Hamas had earlier released seven hostages, and 290 prisoners were freed in return.
Israel’s military confirmed Berger’s return to Israel, where she would undergo an initial medical assessment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office identified the three Israelis to be freed on Thursday as Arbel Yehud, Gadi Moses, and Berger. The deal also included the release of five Thai nationals.
READ ALSO: Hamas rejects U.S. plan for Palestinian relocation
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, is contingent on the release of Israeli hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The exchange is part of a broader agreement facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, which aims to bring long-term peace and aid to the Gaza Strip.
The agreement has allowed truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza, although senior Hamas officials accused Israel of delaying the delivery of essential materials like fuel and heavy machinery. Israel’s defense ministry rejected these claims, saying that 3,000 trucks had entered Gaza in recent days.
READ ALSO: Hamas releases 4 female Israeli soldiers as part of ceasefire agreement
The ceasefire deal’s first phase should see the release of 33 hostages, including the five Thais, while discussions will continue about ending the war and beginning Gaza’s reconstruction. The next phase of the exchange is scheduled for the weekend, with Israel expected to release more prisoners.
The truce has also sparked discussions about the future of Gaza. U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a controversial plan involving the relocation of Palestinians to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan, which has been rejected by regional leaders, including Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Meanwhile, displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza are returning to the rubble of their homes, facing dire living conditions with limited access to basic resources.
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