February 8, 2025
The release of Israeli hostages by Hamas marks a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict that erupted following Hamas' massacre of Israelis on October 7, 2023. In the brutal assault, over 1,200 people were killed, and 251 individuals were taken hostage.
As part of the first phase hostage release agreement of January 2025, 33 of the remaining hostages are slated to be freed in stages, with the first group of three Israeli women released on January 19, 2025.
Since Hamas’ attack on October 7, AJC has worked tirelessly alongside more than 50 hostage families, advocating globally to keep their stories front and center with officials, including over 200 members of Congress, diplomats, and faith leaders.
Here is what to know about the hostage release schedule.
This explainer will continue to be updated as more information is released. AJC also breaks down what you need to know about the Palestinian Prisoners Freed in the Hostage Agreement and What The Hostages Endured in Captivity
When are the hostage releases happening?
The first phase covers a span of six weeks and includes the release of 33 hostages, including 12 women and children, men aged 50 and above, and injured civilians, including two Americans.
Three hostages were released on the first day, and four more released on the seventh day. After that, three hostages will be released every seven days, and the final 14 will be released in the final week of the first phase.
It is important to note that Hamas, a designated terror organization by multiple countries, is known for its use of psychological warfare and delaying tactics to intensify emotional distress. For instance, Hamas was expected to provide the names of hostages on Saturday, January 18, at 4:00 PM but postponed it to Sunday at 11:00 PM, prolonging the agony for the hostages’ families and amplifying their suffering.
Who are the hostages scheduled to be released?
Released hostages denoted with an asterisk.
* Doron Steinbrecher, 31
* Romi Gonen, 23
* Emily Damari, 27
* Arbel Yehud, 29
Ariel Bibas, 5
Kfir Bibas, 2
Shiri Silberman Bibas, 33
* Liri Albag, 19
* Karina Ariev, 20
* Agam Berger, 20
* Daniella Gilboa, 20
* Naama Levy, 20
*Ohad Ben-Ami, 56
*Gadi Moshe Moses, 80
*Keith Siegel, 65
*Ofer Kalderon, 54
*Eli Sharabi, 52
Itzik Elgarat, 70
Shlomo Mansour, 86
Ohad Yahalomi, 50
Oded Lifshitz, 84
Tsahi Idan, 50
Hisham al-Sayed, 36
*Yarden Bibas, 35
Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36
Yair Horn, 46
Omer Wenkert, 23
Sasha Trufanov, 28
Eliya Cohen, 27
*Or Levy, 34
Avera Mengistu, 38
Tal Shoham, 39
Omer Shem-Tov, 22
First release: On January 19, 2025, Hamas released three Israeli hostages: Emily Damari, 28; Romi Gonen, 24; and Doron Steinbrecher, 31. Romi was abducted from the Nova music festival, and Emily and Doron were taken from their homes in Kibbutz Kfar Aza.
Upon their return to Israel, the three women were reunited with their families and transported to Sheba Medical Center for evaluation and care. All three women could walk unassisted and appeared to be in good health.
Family and friends discussed with the media what the three women shared on how they survived 471 days in Gaza. Living mostly in underground facilities, they rarely saw daylight and endured tremendous uncertainty. “I didn’t think I’d return; I was certain that I’d die in Gaza,” one recalled. Damari, who suffered a leg injury and lost two fingers in Hamas’ October 7 massacre, received medical care from Gonen, a trained paramedic. The women cooked for each other and gained strength through limited TV and radio access, hearing their families’ advocacy. “We saw your struggle, we heard our families fighting,” they said. Transferred between hiding places dozens of times, including humanitarian shelters, they described their final moments in captivity as terrifying, saying they were “scared to death” during the transfer to the Red Cross.
Second release:
On Saturday, January 25, Hamas released four Israeli hostages: Naama Levy, Liri Albag, Daniella Gilboa, and Karina Ariev. The agreement also includes the release of Palestinian security prisoners, including those who are serving long prison terms for terrorism.
Following medical evaluations, the IDF confirmed that the four women were all in good health after 477 days in captivity. "Mother, you're a lioness," Gilboa told her mother, who replied, "You know I would do anything for you." Karina Ariev’s family expressed gratitude, calling her “a symbol of courage, resilience, and determination,” while Liri Albag’s family shared their relief, saying, “Liri demonstrated incredible strength and survived hell.” President Isaac Herzog called the women heroes, saying, “An entire nation is shedding tears and rejoicing with you,” while pledging not to rest until all captives are brought home.
Additional details are also emerging from the hostages about the torture they endured by Hamas, including being held in tunnels for up to eight months, alone and deprived of daylight; injuries from their abductions were not properly treated; and they were only allowed to shower, change their clothes, and eat better food in the days leading up to their release.
Third release:
On January 30, three Israeli hostages—Arbel Yehoud, 29, Agam Berger, 19, and Gadi Moshe, 80—were released. Additionally, five Thai hostages were freed, leaving three Thai nationals still held in Gaza, along with one Nepalese and one Tanzanian hostage. The five Thai nationals released are Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak.
Yehoud, Mozes, and the five Thai hostages were released in a chaotic and dangerous handover near the ruins of slain Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar’s home, surrounded by masked terrorists and hostile crowds. Israeli civilians were forced to walk through the crowds under armed escort before reaching Red Cross vehicles, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to condemn the situation as "unacceptable" and further proof of Hamas’s cruelty. In response, Israel delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners until assurances were given that future hostage transfers would be conducted safely.
Thai Ambassador to Israel Panba Chandraramiya expressed that Thursday was “one of the happiest days” of her life following the release of five Thai hostages from Gaza. She thanked Israel for its efforts in securing the release and noted that another Thai citizen, Pinta Nattapong, is still believed to be held in Gaza. The bodies of two others, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, are also believed to be held.
Agam was released separately in Jabalia, northern Gaza, after being subjected to a degrading ceremony similar to that of other freed female Israeli soldiers, where she was dressed in a mock IDF uniform, given a Hamas "gift bag" and certificate, and forced to wave to the crowd before being handed over to the Red Cross. Shortly after, Berger’s family expressed gratitude to security forces and the Israeli public, stating, “Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process.”
Fourth release:
Three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas on Saturday, February 1, 2025: French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, 54; American-Israeli Keith Siegel, 65; and Yarden Bibas, 35.
Siegel was abducted with his wife Aviva from Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7, 2023; she was freed in the temporary hostage and ceasefire agreement in November 2024. Calderon was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz with his two children, who were later released. Bibas was wounded and abducted separately from his wife, Shiri, and their two young sons - Kfir, who was 9 months old, and Ariel, who was 4, at the time of their kidnappings, respectively.
Hamas claims Shiri and the children were killed, but Israel has not confirmed this. Israeli officials have expressed “grave concern” and demanded clarification from Hamas.
Fifth release:
On Saturday, February 8, three Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—were released from Hamas captivity after 491 days and have arrived safely in Israel.
Sharabi was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri during Hamas’s brutal October 7 attack. His wife and daughters were murdered in their home’s safe room, while he and his brother Yossi were taken hostage. Yossi has since been confirmed dead, with Hamas still holding his body.
Levy was kidnapped from the Nova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im, where Hamas massacred hundreds of festivalgoers. His wife, Einav, was among the victims, and their now three-year-old son Almog has been living with his grandparents.
Ben Ami was also taken from Kibbutz Be’eri. His wife, Raz Ben Ami, was kidnapped as well but was later released during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023.
As Israel continues negotiations for the release of all remaining hostages, the Hostages Families Forum reiterated their unwavering commitment: “We have both a sacred duty and a moral right to bring all our brothers and sisters home. We will not rest until every hostage is returned—the living for rehabilitation and the deceased for a proper burial.”
Who are the American hostages being held by Hamas?
Six American hostages have been held or killed by Hamas since the October 7 attack. Edan Alexander, 19, a swimmer and Knicks fan, joined the IDF after high school and was last seen in a Hamas video in November. Itay Chen, 19, died defending civilians, his body still held by Hamas. Sagui Dekel-Chen, 35, protected his family before being abducted, his fate uncertain. Gadi and Judi Haggai, a retired chef and a mindfulness educator, were killed near their kibbutz; their bodies remain in Gaza. Omer Neutra, 22, a gap-year IDF soldier, was ambushed in his tank and killed.
What are the phases of the hostage deal?
The Israel-Hamas agreement is divided into three phases.
Phase One, which began on January 19, will span six weeks and include the release of 33 of the remaining hostages—including women, children, injured civilians, and elderly individuals. They are to be released in exchange for Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom are serving life sentences for terrorism. Notable hostages include Kfir Bibas, 2, Ariel Bibas, 5, and dual Israeli-American citizens. Israel will withdraw from certain areas in Gaza, allow 600 humanitarian aid trucks daily, and maintain control of key borders, while continuing its defense operations against threats from Gaza.
Phase Two involves negotiating the release of 65 remaining hostages, primarily male Israeli soldiers as well as bodies of deceased hostages, in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners and a complete Israeli troop withdrawal. Negotiations for phase two are expected to begin on February 4.
Phase Three focuses on a reconstruction plan supervised by international entities. The future governance of Gaza remains contested, with Israel opposing involvement from Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
To learn more about the full hostages deal, click here.