Gadi Moses, Arbel Yehud, Thai nationals undergo examinations at respective hospitals

After 482 days in Hamas captivity, Israeli hostages Arbel Yehud, Gadi Moses, and Agam Berger returned home on Thursday, revealing harrowing details of their ordeal—including how they clung to their faith, refusing to eat leavened bread on Passover and attempting to fast on Yom Kippur, despite their captors’ cruelty.

The IDF observers from Nahal Oz, including Agam Berger, made a conscious effort to observe Jewish traditions even while being held underground and in Hamas-controlled apartments in Gaza, Ynet reported.

Despite the dire conditions, they refused to eat chametz (leavened bread) on Passover and attempted to fast on Yom Kippur, a difficult task given the severe malnutrition they suffered.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the return of the hostages on Thursday in a video statement published on X/Twitter.

"Agam, Arbel, Gadi - welcome home! The entire State of Israel embraces you, and so do my wife Sarah and I," Netanyahu began. 

He also stated that "this release was achieved primarily due to our heroic soldiers, and it was also accomplished thanks to the firm and resolute stance we maintained during the negotiations. We will not accept any violation of the agreement."

אגם, ארבל, גדי - ברוך שובכם הביתה!

מי שיעז לפגוע בחטופינו - דמו בראשו. pic.twitter.com/ZFezTEvUBO

— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) January 30, 2025

"During the release of our hostages today, we witnessed shocking events. We made it clear to the mediators that we would not accept any risk to our hostages. I also want to add: whoever dares to harm our hostages will have their blood on their own hands [be taking their life into their own hands]."

Staff Sergeant (St.-Sgt.) Liam Hazi, 20, was killed during operational activity in Jenin in the West Bank on Thursday, the IDF announced. 

St.-Sgt. Hazi was in the ‘Haruv’ Reconnaissance Battalion of the Kfir Brigade.

He was from Rosh Ha'ayin. 

During the incident in which Hazi was killed, a soldier in the same battalion was wounded.

The soldier was evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment and his family has been notified.

 After an initial assessment, 80-year-old Gadi Moses is in good and stable condition, Ichilov Hospital said in a statement on Thursday evening. 

The hospital added that they are "allowing him to be with his family and rest from this complex day. We will respect his privacy."
 

When reunited with his family for the first time in 482 days, Gadi Moses told his children: "I will do everything I can to rehabilitate Nir Oz."

Gadi Moses is seen reunited with his three children, Moran, Oded and Yair on Thursday.

Five Thai hostages arrived at Shamir Medical Center on Thursday.

Newly released hostages Gadi Moses, Arbel Yehud and five Thai nationals - Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak - boarded IAF helicopters and are now en route to the hospitals for medical treatment, the IDF announced on Thursday,

Gadi will be reunited with his family, and the Thai nationals will be accompanied by Thai government officials.

Arbel boarded an IAF helicopter with her family soon after Gadi and the Thai nationals were already en route.