Following 482 days in Hamas captivity, IDF soldier Agam Berger was reunited with her family. She was the last soldier from the Nahal Oz base held by Hamas.
IDF-released video showed Berger’s overjoyed parents watching their daughter greet Israeli forces before their reunion.
The IDF also released footage of Berger’s emotional reunion with her parents.
“We’re here, and we will not leave you ever again,” Berger’s mother declared, embracing her daughter. “It’s a mother’s promise.”
Berger’s family celebrated the return of their “strong, faithful and brave” daughter, stating that they “can begin the healing process, but the recovery will not be complete until all the hostages return home.”
Fellow hostages Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Daniela Gilboa, and Karina Ariev, watched Berger’s release from Rabin Medical Center. All five were captured together; the other four were freed last Saturday as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
Berger was among seven hostages released Thursday, including Arbel Yehoud, Gadi Moses, Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the release, calling it “hopeful” and a testament to “the triumph of the human spirit,” while emphasizing that “there are still 82 hostages held in Gaza that need to be saved.” The organization also thanked the President, crediting his “instrumental efforts” in securing the deal.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum also expressed concern over the “harrowing images” of the hostages’ transfer to the Red Cross.
“After 482 days of unimaginable terror and suffering, these individuals—who have already endured the unthinkable—must not be subjected to further danger,” the statement read. “This process, marked by cruelty and disregard for human dignity, must be unequivocally condemned. In these critical moments, every effort must be made to ensure their protection and immediate reunification with their loved ones.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued a statement regarding the “shocking scenes during the release of the hostages.”
“I view with grave concern the shocking scenes during the release of our hostages,” Netanyahu said. “This further demonstrates the unimaginable cruelty of the terrorist organization Hamas. I demand that the mediators ensure such threats are prevented in the future, and guarantee the safety of our hostages. Anyone who harms our hostages will be held accountable.”
Hostages released under the recent ceasefire agreement were seen surrounded by terrorists and large crowds en route to the Red Cross for transfer back to Israel.
Following the release of videos and images depicting these chaotic scenes, Netanyahu demanded safe passage guarantees for future hostage releases and delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners until this demand was met. Mediators subsequently committed to ensuring the safe transfer of hostages in future releases.
On Monday, Israel permitted Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, the most heavily damaged area, with hundreds of thousands returning to find their homes reduced to rubble.
The first phase of the ceasefire involves Hamas releasing 33 Israeli hostages—including women, children, older adults, and sick or wounded men—in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israel reports Hamas has confirmed the deaths of eight hostages slated for release in this phase.