Agam Berger, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped, has been released by Hamas as part of a larger agreement linked to a ceasefire that has been in place for several weeks between Israel and the militant organization. She is the first of three hostages to be set free on Thursday.

At just 20 years old, Berger was taken captive during a Hamas attack near Gaza on October 7, 2023, while serving at the Nahal Oz army base. She had only begun her role as a border surveillance officer a day prior to being abducted. Four other female soldiers she was with have already been released.

“We are grateful to finally have our hero Agam back after 482 days,” her family expressed in a statement. “She is strong, resilient, and courageous.”

Later on Thursday morning, two other hostages, Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, are expected to be released along with five individuals from Thailand. Yehud, aged 29, and Moses, aged 80, are both civilians. The release of the Thai nationals is not part of the ceasefire agreement but is part of a separate arrangement between Hamas and the Thai government.

Currently, six Thai nationals — Watchara Sriuan, Bannawat Seatho, Sathian Suwannakham, Nattapong Pinta, Pongsak Tanna, and Surasak Lamnau — are being held in Gaza, though it is unclear which of them will be released on Thursday.

In exchange for the hostages, Israel will liberate Palestinian prisoners — offering 50 for Berger and 30 for each civilian hostage. This group includes some women and children, as well as others who were serving life sentences for committing acts against Israelis.

Israel is reportedly holding around 10,000 Palestinians in its prisons. While some are incarcerated for minor offenses, like throwing stones at soldiers, others have not been formally charged. Additionally, some have been found guilty of what Israel refers to as terrorism, which Palestinians often characterize as their right to resist an occupying force.

Over 80 individuals from the 251 taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 are still being detained in Gaza, which includes at least 34 confirmed by Israel’s Defense Forces to be deceased. Among those held, seven are dual citizens of both the U.S. and Israel, with three believed to be alive. Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel, two of the hostages, could potentially be released as soon as Saturday.

The agreement for the ceasefire and the exchange of hostages for prisoners is structured in three stages. Currently, it is in the first stage, which commenced on January 19 and is set to continue for 42 days. The initial phase plans to release 33 Israeli hostages in return for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. The details of the second phase, involving a permanent ceasefire and further exchanges, are still being negotiated.