Chaos During Hostage Exchange in Gaza Results in Postponed Transfers of Palestinian Detainees
On January 30, 2025, Hamas facilitated the release of three Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in Gaza, but the much-anticipated release of Palestinian prisoners faced delays following chaotic scenes during the handover. Crowds surged around the captives, creating a tense and hazardous situation, particularly as armed militants escorted them to a Red Cross facility in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza.
Among those freed were Israeli nationals, 29-year-old Ms. Arbel Yehud and 80-year-old Mr. Gadi Moses, alongside five Thai workers who had been employed at Israeli farms near Gaza. Yehud, who had been kidnapped during the October 7 Hamas assault on Israel, appeared visibly shaken, struggling to make her way through the crowd. The mother of one of the Thai nationals, anxiously following the scene on a live stream, begged for her son’s safe release.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the disorderly scenes, asserting that those who harmed the hostages would face severe repercussions. He called for urgent mediation to prevent such disruptions in future exchanges.
The delay in the scheduled Palestinian prisoner release stemmed from the chaotic handover. An Israeli official revealed that the buses transporting Palestinian detainees were turned back to prisons due to the turmoil. These detainees, including minors and those involved in deadly attacks against Israel, had been set to be transferred to the West Bank or Gaza.
Earlier in northern Gaza, Israeli soldier Ms. Agam Berger was handed over in another tense exchange, walking through a narrow alley among the ruins of bombed buildings. Her family expressed relief but stressed that their sense of closure would only be achieved once all hostages were returned. A video released by Netanyahu’s office captured a tearful reunion between Berger and her mother.
Netanyahu has faced criticism for failing to secure a hostage deal sooner after the October attack, which resulted in around 1,200 Israeli deaths and the capture of over 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israel’s military operations have led to the deaths of more than 47,000 Palestinians and widespread devastation across Gaza.
Despite a ceasefire agreement facilitating the release of some hostages, Israel continues to target Hamas leaders and militants in the region. The ongoing conflict has led to severe shortages of essential supplies for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and the situation remains desperate.
Israel still holds 89 captives in Gaza, with approximately 30 declared dead. Following recent military actions, Israel has also intensified operations in the West Bank, targeting militants there.
