AS IT HAPPENED: Agam Berger, Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud released

44 injured from strikes evacuated to hospitals in central Israel, 4 in serious condition 2 moderate

Source: i24 Israel

Rocket siren alerts across Israel on Thursday morning

Iran’s state news agency says missiles were targeting IDF command and intelligence headquarters

Forty Israeli fighter jets carried out overnight airstrikes on dozens of military targets across Iran

Israeli military say more than 100 munitions used in campaign aimed at damaging Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.

Israeli police urge residents in southern Israel to stay away from missile impact sites

Concerns over possible hazardous material leaks, following a wave of Iranian missile attacks on Thursday. Southern District Commander Haim Bublil said forces are managing the scenes and scanning for additional impact points. Authorities warned that gathering near the sites could pose serious risks and interfere with bomb disposal and emergency operations.

Source: Iran International English

Iran’s foreign minister meets Hamas in Qatar

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visited Qatar on Thursday to meet with leaders of the Tehran-backed terror group Hamas, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

According to the ministry, Araghchi planned to meet senior Hamas officials “to hail the victory of the Palestinian people through 16 months of legendary resistance” in Gaza.

Israel told mob scenes will not be repeated in future releases

Israel says its has received a guarantee from mediators that scenes of a chaos at a handover of hostages in Khan Younis earlier today will not be repeated in future releases, after reports indicated that it had okayed a Palestinian prisoner release held up due to the mayhem.

“Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s demand, the mediators made a commitment that our hostages will be guaranteed safe passageway in the next releases,” reads a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Israel insists that lessons will be learned and that the next rounds will have greater care in ensuring the safe return of our hostages,” it adds.

New deal reached on Palestinian prisoner release

Israeli media claim that an agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas for the release of Palestinian prisoners today, following Israel’s delay until it secured assurances about the safety of hostages freed from Gaza.

Channel 12 reports that inmates will start leaving Ofir prison in the West Bank at 3pm UK time. Reuters, citing a Palestinian source, says Hamas was informed by the Red Cross that the transfer will take place later Thursday.

There is no official confirmation. Israel halted the planned release of 110 security prisoners after the previous hostage transfer in Khan Younis descended into chaos, raising safety concerns.

IDF intercepts Hezbollah drone

From our partner Ynet

IDF intercepted a Hezbollah reconnaissance drone as provocations increase during an extended cease-fire; Senior officials stress that security remains Israel’s responsibility, with operations underway to dismantle terror strongholds and recover hidden munitions along the border.

Thai ambassador welcomes release of hostages

From our partner Times of Israel

Thai Ambassador to Israel Panba Chandraramiya tells President Isaac Herzog that today is “one of the happiest in my life” with the release of five Thai hostages from Gaza.

“Today is one of the most happiest days in my life for two reasons,” Chandraramiya says, both the ability to meet Herzog and the fact that “five hostages will be released today — that is good news for me and for my country and for everyone involved.”

Chandraramiya thanks “the Israeli side for all the preparation for the hostages to be released today,” noting that there is still another Thai citizen believed to be held captive alive in Gaza.

Release of Palestinian security prisoners halted

Israel has stopped the release of Palestinian security prisoners set to be freed later today after the return on Israeli hostages in protests against the scenes of chaos surrounding the release of Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Mozes, and five Thai nationals Channel 12 reports. The report says the prisoners were on the buses ready to be released when they were ordered off.

Israel names five freed Thai hostages

Israel has named the five Thai hostages handed over by the Red Cross to the IDF alongside Israelis Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes.

The five Thai civilians, kidnapped on October 7, 2023, while working as agricultural laborers, have been identified as Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

One other Thai hostage, Pinta Nattapong, is believed to still be alive in captivity. Two others, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, have been declared dead by Israel, with their bodies still held.

‘Chaotic scenes in Gaza represent failure of deal with Hamas’

Itamar Ben Gvir welcomes the return of three Israeli hostages from Hamas captivity but fiercely condemns the deal that secured their release.

“We are happy and excited about the return of our beloved Agam, Arbel, and Gadi, but the horrific images from Gaza make it clear: This is not a complete victory – this is a complete failure, in a reckless deal like no other,” the far-right politician declares.

He insists the government should have withheld humanitarian aid from what he calls a “bloodthirsty crowd” and instead applied relentless military pressure until Hamas “begged” to return the hostages. “It is not too late for [the government] to come to its senses!” he warns.

Terrorist filmed kidnapping Naama Levy killed

Meanwhile, Hamas terrorist Muhammad Abu Aseed who was filmed kidnapping Naama Levy on October 7, 2023, was killed in an Israeli drone strike some four months ago it has been revealed.

The news of Abu Aseed’s targeting was not permitted for publication until the return of all seven surveillance soldiers kidnapped by the terror group during the October 7 onslaught.

Levy was released by Hamas last week, along with Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Liri Albag.

Agam Berger reunited with her parents

First images emerge of freed hostage Agam Berger reuniting with her family at an IDF facility inside Israel after being freed from captivity.

Agam embraces her parents, Shlomi and Merav, after arriving in Israel from Gaza following her handover from the Red Cross to IDF troops.

In video of that handover, Agam is seen emerging from a Red Cross vehicle, no longer wearing the fake military uniform she was forced by Hamas to don for the handover. She embraces an IDF medical officer before getting into another vehicle to exit the Strip.

In the belly of the beast: Arbel Yehoud pictured with Islamic Jihad

Footage shows hostage Arbel Yehoud being handed over to the Red Cross by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis a short while ago.

Arbel is seen being led through a large crowd of Palestinians and terror operatives, outside the ruins of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s home.

Yehoud appears visibly frightened as she and the gunmen are shoved and jostled by the large crowds and fight their way to the waiting Red Cross vehicle.

Liri, Naama, Daniella and Karina watch Agam Berger’s release

Freed hostages (L-R) Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa and Karina Ariev watch at the Rabin Medical Center as their IDF surveillance soldier colleague Agam Berger is released from Hamas captivity in Gaza on January 30, 2025 (Israel Defense Forces)

Agam Berger back in Israel after 482 days in the clutches of Hamas

Agam Berger, an IDF surveillance soldier held hostage by Hamas for 482 days, has returned to Israel.

The has IDF confirmed she crossed back into Israeli territory after being handed over to Israeli special forces by the Red Cross.

She was taken to a facility near the border for medical checks and an emotional reunion with her parents.