8 New Hostages Released, But Netanyahu Warns Hamas Will 'Pay the Price'
Hamas released eight hostages, including foreign workers, on Thursday in the third hostage release in two weeks, part of an Israel-Hamas ceasefire release agreement. Some of the released hostages, including Agam Berger, Arbel Yehud, and 80-year-old Gadi Moses, were reunited with their families and taken to Israeli hospitals after Hamas initially abducted them during the terror group's attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023.
"#Hallelujah!! Released hostage soldier #Agam Berger reunites with her parents for the first time after 482 days in Hamas captivity in #Gaza. Please #pray for her complete healing," Jerusalem Dateline posted on X, including a video of Berger being reunited with her parents.
#Hallelujah!! Released hostage soldier #Agam Berger reunites with her parents for the first time after 482 days in Hamas captivity in #Gaza. Please #pray for her complete healing.
— Jerusalem Dateline (@JlemDateline) January 30, 2025
🎥: IDF Spokesperson Unit pic.twitter.com/fe1SYHVQuC
Additionally, Hamas released five Thai workers, Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak, who were among ten hostages taken captive on October 7th. However, five are still kept hostage, including two believed to be deceased.
"I view with utmost severity the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages. This is additional proof of the inconceivable brutality of the Hamas terrorist organization," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Thursday.
"I demand that the mediators make certain that such terrible scenes do not recur and guarantee the safety of our hostages."
"Whoever dares to harm our hostages will pay the price," he warned, concluding his statement.
The Prime Minister's Office also issued a statement pertaining to Thursday's releases.
"Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing," the statement reads.
Additionally, the statement cited from "And I will return the captivity of My people Israel."
The release follows two other releases in the past two weeks as part of the three-phase agreement between Hamas and Israel in which all of the hostages will be released in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners who have committed acts of terror.
Speaking with CBN News, Author and Jerusalem Post columnist Gil Troy shared that despite the worrying aspects of the agreement, such as the release of prisoners, the deal has been a significant benefit to Israel.
"Since May, we've seen Hezbollah humiliated, Iran weakened," Troy explained. "We've seen Hamas further degraded. And so even though Hamas is celebrating, they're celebrating in ruins. Even though Hamas is celebrating, they've lost over 20,000 of their top terrorists. So I am obviously worried, but I'm also rejoicing because thanks again to American support and to Israeli grit. We have seen a change."
Three more Israeli hostages are expected to be released this Saturday, February 2nd.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Sean Gallup/Staff
Originally published January 30, 2025.
