Eight hostages to be released

Scores of people have gathered in Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” to celebrate the release of Israeli soldier Agam Berger and await news of the seven other hostages set to be freed by Hamas today.

Many could be seen holding up signs of the hostages who are slated for release, including Arbel Yehoud, 29, Gadi Moses, 80, and five Thai hostages who have not been named. Others held up signs bearing the names and faces of hostages who remain held in Hamas’ captivity.

“Mixed in with the joy of the release of Agam Berger is the anguish of the families of the hostages who are still in Gaza, both alive and dead,” the Hostages Families Forum, a group representing the families of those held captive in the enclave, said in a statement this morning following Berger’s release.

The Israeli government “embraces Agam Berger,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.

“The government, together with all security agencies, will accompany her and her family,” it said.

Israeli soldier Agam Berger has been handed over to the International Red Cross by the shadow unit of Hamas military unit, the Qassam Brigades, Israeli security forces said.

Footage captured at the scene showed her emerge from a destroyed house wearing a military uniform, before she was paraded onto a stage with Hamas fighters.

She waved at the crowd before signing papers with the Red Cross. She is now being transfered to Israeli military forces in the Gaza Strip.

Berger was the last member of an all-female unarmed military unit to remain in captivity in Gaza. The team of seven women was taken hostage from the Nahal Oz military base.

International Red Cross vehicles have arrived at the Jabalia camp square to receive the hostages, according to an NBC News crew at the scene.

Large numbers of fighters from the Al Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, are also present.

The hostage handover today is expected to take place in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

There, an NBC News crew saw a platform set up with large posters bearing the logo of IDF battalions that fought in the area.

The hostages are set to be delivered from different parts of the enclave.

Abu Hamza, a spokesperson for Islamic Jihad’s military wing, the Al-Quds Brigades, said the militant group had already completed the procedures for the release of Arbel Yehoud, 29, and Gabi Moses, 80.

Three Israeli and five Thai hostages are set to be freed as part of the ceasefire deal that will also see more than 100 Palestinian prisoners being released from Israeli prisons.

Arbel Yehoud, 29, Agam Berger, 20, and Gadi Moses, 80, have been named as the Israeli hostages down for release, but the names of their Thai counterparts have not been made public.

Israeli officials expected Yehoud to be released last weekend but Hamas instead released captive soldiers which Israel said was in violation of the agreement.