Israel Confirms Reception of Official Hostage List Set for Release Tomorrow

This evening (Wednesday), Israel has received the official list of hostages set for release on Thursday as part of the ongoing agreement with Hamas. The Hostage Affairs Directorate confirmed that families were personally informed before any public announcement, ensuring the most compassionate and transparent process possible.

The hostages slated for release include Israeli citizens Arbel Yehud (29), Agam Berger (19), and Gadi Moses (80), alongside five Thai nationals who were also abducted during Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7. The release is part of the phased exchange agreement, which involves the release of Palestinian prisoners and the continuation of the temporary humanitarian ceasefire. The next phase is scheduled for Saturday and is expected to include three additional living Israeli hostages, whose families will receive confirmation on Friday.

Closely Ensuring Hamas Adheres to Its Commitments
Despite the framework of the agreement, Israeli officials remain deeply cautious, knowing Hamas has repeatedly broken past commitments. In recent days, tensions have risen over delays and shifting conditions regarding the identity and timing of those to be freed. The government is maintaining full transparency with the hostage families while closely monitoring Hamas’s actions. Security officials and political leaders are working in coordination to ensure the terror group fulfills its obligations, and an official government address is expected after the release.

Arbel, Agam, and Gadi Expected to Be Released from Captivity in Gaza
The pending release carries profound emotional weight. Gadi Moses, 80, was the first from the Katz-Moses-Asher family to be kidnapped and is now the last to remain in captivity. His partner, Efrat Katz, was murdered in the attack, while his granddaughters, Aviv and Raz, their mother, Doron, and his former partner, Margalit Moses, were freed in an earlier phase of the deal. A chilling video previously released by Islamic Jihad showed Moses alongside Elad Katzir, another hostage who was later murdered in captivity.

Arbel Yehud, 29, was kidnapped from her home in Nir Oz alongside her partner, Ariel Cuneo. Terrorists stormed their safe room, forcibly dragging them out. Their newly adopted dog, Marf, was tragically shot and killed by the terrorists. Arbel’s family suffered another devastating loss that day, as her brother Dolev Yehud was murdered.

Agam Berger, 19, was serving as a surveillance soldier at the Nahal Oz base when she was abducted—on her very first day of military service. Initially assigned to Kerem Shalom, her posting was changed at the last minute. Nahal Oz became one of the hardest-hit locations in the Hamas invasion, with many soldiers brutally slaughtered or taken hostage.

The five Thai nationals expected to be released were among dozens of foreign workers kidnapped during Hamas’s attack. Their return brings relief to their families and underscores the indiscriminate brutality of the October 7 assault.

Hostage Families Headquarters: “An Entire Nation Awaits Their Return”
The Hostage Families Headquarters responded with a message of resilience: “An entire nation has fought for them and eagerly awaits their return. Our sacred duty is not over until every hostage is home. We will not stop; we will not rest—whether through this agreement or future negotiations—until the last hostage is brought back. The living for rehabilitation, and the fallen for a proper burial in their homeland.”

Israel holds the sanctity of human life as a sacred duty, and the return of hostages is among the highest moral imperatives of a just government. Every effort, both diplomatic and military, is dedicated to ensuring that those held captive are brought home safely. With faith and perseverance, we look toward the fulfillment of God’s promise, as declared in Jeremiah 31:16-17: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded, and they shall return from the land of the enemy. There is hope for your future, and your children shall return to their own land.’” These words offer strength in the face of adversity and remind us that even in the darkest times, God’s justice and mercy will prevail. The people of Israel will not rest until every hostage is reunited with their loved ones, and every missing soul is returned.

A Long-Awaited Homecoming
For over a year, hostage families have endured unimaginable anguish, waiting for news of their loved ones. As Israel prepares to welcome Arbel, Agam, and Gadi home, the moment is bittersweet—marked by relief for those returning but also by sorrow for those still in captivity. The wounds of October 7th remain deep, and the struggle is far from over.