Hamas to release Israeli trio as ceasefire deal continues

Hamas is set to release three Israelis held captive in Gaza, including a woman, a female soldier and an 80-year-old man, as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, a group representing the families of the hostages has said.

- BEL TREW

The Hostages Families Forum said yesterday they “welcomed the news” of the expected releases, adding that “we will not give up or stop at any stage until all hostages return home – down to the very last one”.

They named the three Israelis as Arbel Yehoud, 29, who was seized from her home in Kibbutz Nir Oz; Gadi Moses, 80, one of the oldest remaining hostages, who was also taken from Nir Oz; and Israeli soldier Agam Berger, 20, who was seized by militants from Nahal Oz base on 7 October.

The group added that five Thai citizens were also among those due to be released, without giving names.

David Mercer, the Israeli government spokesperson, also confirmed three Israelis would be released. He said in a briefing yesterday that a further three people will be released from Hamas captivity on Saturday.

The Hostages Families Forum said: “An entire nation has fought for them and anxiously awaits their longed-for return to their families’ embrace.”

The release is part of a long-fought-for ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has paused the war in Gaza in exchange for the freedom of dozens of hostages held in Palestinian territory, as well as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.