Israel receives hostage list for Thursday's release, 5 Thai nationals included

Hamas transfers names of 3 hostages—Agam Berger, Arbel Yehoud and Gadi Mozes—set for release Thursday but threatens delays over alleged aid disruptions; Israeli officials call list 'acceptable'; Netanyahu dismisses Hamas' claims as 'fake news'

Lior Ben Ari, Einav Halabi, Itamar Eichner|Updated:
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Israel has received the list of hostages expected to be released by Hamas on Thursday as part of the third phase of the ongoing hostage deal, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Wednesday.
According to mediators involved in the negotiations, five Thai nationals are expected to be freed alongside three Israeli hostages, including Arbel Yehoud, Agam Berger and Gadi Moshe Mozes.
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שלישים ארבל יהוד, אגם ברגר, גדי משה מוזס חטופים בעזה עזה
שלישים ארבל יהוד, אגם ברגר, גדי משה מוזס חטופים בעזה עזה
Agam Berger, Arbel Yahoud and Gadi Moshe Mozes will be freed on Thursday
(Photo: Courtesy of the families)
Israeli officials said the list is "acceptable to us and aligns with the agreed-upon terms" and estimate that Hamas will seek to carry out Thursday's exchange in the morning hours as part of the negotiated agreement.
Earlier, Hamas claimed that Israeli delays in delivering aid to Gaza could impact the release. Israeli officials dismissed the terrorist group's accusations, calling them “fake news.”
A spokesperson for COGAT, the Israeli body overseeing civil affairs in Palestinian territories, denied the allegations after Hamas officials told AFP that Israel was obstructing the entry of essential goods. “Continued delays and failure to honor these aid-related clauses will affect the progress of the agreement, including the prisoner exchange,” a Hamas source told AFP. Another source said the group had asked mediators to intervene.
While speculation has grown that the third hostage set for release is American-Israeli citizen Keith Siegel—partly due to an NBC report—there is no official confirmation. The additional release phase was negotiated following the delay in Yehoud’s release and Israel’s insistence on maintaining control of the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza until her return was secured. Another release is expected on Saturday, in which three male hostages are to be freed.
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נוסייראת
נוסייראת
Crowds return to northern Gaza
(Photo: Eyad Baba / AFP)
Meanwhile, negotiations for the second phase of the cease-fire deal are set to begin on the 16th day of the truce. Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, arrived in Israel Wednesday and is set to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after visiting Gaza. Witkoff’s visit follows negotiations in Saudi Arabia over a broader regional agreement, including Gaza’s reconstruction and potential normalization with Riyadh.
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Qatari newspaper The New Arab reported Wednesday that before the cease-fire was announced, Witkoff allegedly assured Netanyahu that the U.S. would delay the reconstruction of northern Gaza and block the entry of caravans until a security framework was in place for Israeli communities near the enclave.
The report, which has not been confirmed by other sources, also claimed that the U.S. is working on a security plan that would prevent Gaza from posing a future threat to Israel and pressure Gazans to leave the territory by making parts of it uninhabitable.
As reconstruction talks continue, thousands of Gazans are returning to northern Gaza, with long traffic jams seen along Salah ad-Din Road leading to the checkpoint at the Netzarim Corridor. Palestinian reports estimate that 50 vehicles are entering the area per hour.
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עבד אל-פתאח א-סיסי נשיא מצרים
עבד אל-פתאח א-סיסי נשיא מצרים
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
(Photo: Martin Sylvest / RITZAU SCANPIX / AFP)
Trump’s reported push to relocate Gaza residents as part of reconstruction efforts continues to spark controversy in the Arab world. The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt and Jordan—where Trump reportedly plans to resettle displaced Palestinians—have joined Saudi Arabia in seeking an emergency Arab League meeting to publicly oppose the plan.
Egypt has yet to issue an official response, but The New Arab claimed that Cairo is weighing allowing limited protests against the plan while avoiding actions that could destabilize President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly stressed that preventing Hamas from regaining control of Gaza is a key American objective. Rubio also held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah, though the State Department did not confirm whether Trump’s resettlement plan was discussed.
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First published: 15:23, 01.29.25
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