Israel Delays Release Of Terrorists Following Troubling Hostage Release

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delayed the release of Palestinian terrorists following Hamas’s dangerous spectacle of releasing Israeli hostages into a mob earlier today. 

Israeli citizens Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Mozes, and Agam Berger were released on Thursday along with Thai citizens Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak.

The chaotic release of Yehoud, Mozes, and the five Thai citizens took place near the rubble of slain Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s home, where the two Israelis were forced to walk through a large crowd rushing toward them.

“I view with great severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” said Netanyahu. “This is further proof of the unimaginable cruelty of the Hamas terrorist organization.”

In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the release of the terrorists who were supposed to be exchanged for the hostages will be “be delayed until the safe exit of our hostages in the next phases is assured.”

“Israel demands that the mediators see to this,” the statement added.

The mediators reportedly conveyed a commitment for a safe exit for hostages who are due to be released in future handoffs, according to Netanyahu’s office.

“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,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, 33 hostages are supposed to be exchanged for 3,000 Palestinian prisoners, though Israel believes eight of the hostages are dead. So far, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari have been released in addition to those today.

Yehoud and Mozes were held by the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihad, while Berger, Pongsak, Suwannakham, Watchara, Bannawat and Surasak were held by Hamas. The Thai citizens were working on Israeli farms when they were kidnapped by terrorists on October 7.

Agam was abducted from Nahal-Oz base with her fellow IDF soldiers Ariev, Gilboa, Levy, and Albag. Similarly to her friends who were released last week, Agam was paraded on a stage in a fake IDF uniform by Hamas. 

Heartwarming videos quickly spread across the internet of Agam reuniting with her parents after 482 days.

Today, 20-year-old former hostage Agam Berger reunited with her family after being held by terrorists for 482 days. pic.twitter.com/1UlQ2v3qUa

— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) January 30, 2025