Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Moses, and five Thai civilians released from captivity in the Gaza Strip on Thursday were handed over to Israeli security forces and were en route to Israeli territory, according to the military and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
The release followed ongoing negotiations and international mediation efforts aimed at securing the freedom of hostages held by Hamas and other militant factions since the Oct. 7 attack.
The hostages were transferred to Red Cross vehicles in Khan Yunis, a city in southern Gaza, where they were surrounded by members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and large crowds of Gazan civilians during the handover. The heavily monitored exchange was part of a broader ceasefire and hostage deal that has seen the release of both Israeli and foreign captives in recent days.
Israeli officials confirmed that the released hostages were being escorted to Israeli troops and Shin Bet personnel stationed within Gaza before being transported for medical evaluations and reunions with their families. The military has emphasized that each returning hostage undergoes a comprehensive health assessment to address any immediate medical or psychological needs following their prolonged captivity.
Earlier, Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video showing Moses and Yehoud ahead of their scheduled release. The footage appeared to depict the two hostages reuniting, with Yehoud visibly emotional. According to an Al Jazeera report, this was Yehoud’s first direct encounter with an Israeli since being taken captive on Oct. 7.
Moses, 80, was abducted outside his home when Hamas terrorists raided Kibbutz Nir Oz, a southern Israeli community that suffered heavy casualties and kidnappings during the attack. He marked his milestone birthday in captivity in Gaza in March. Yehoud, a 29-year-old German-Israeli dual citizen, was also taken from Nir Oz during the assault and remained in Hamas custody for months.
The release of the Thai hostages underscores the widespread impact of the Oct. 7 attack, which saw dozens of foreign workers abducted alongside Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Separately, Israeli Defense Forces observer Agam Berger was released from Hamas captivity earlier in the day. Berger, 20, was one of several female military observers kidnapped from the Nahal Oz base during the Oct. 7 attack. She was held alongside other soldiers in Gaza before being freed as part of the ongoing negotiations.
As the latest hostages return to Israel, the government continues diplomatic efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity, with officials warning that the ceasefire and hostage negotiations remain fragile.