Israeli soldier Agam Berer has been released from Gaza captivity.

Hamas has handed Agam Berger to Israel. He is the first of eight expected hostages to be freed from Gaza this Thursday.

Israel will exchange 110 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the release of 30 people who are serving life sentences. This is the third swap that has taken place since the Gaza ceasefire and hostage agreement went into effect at the beginning of this month.

The cease-fire is intended to bring an end to the most destructive conflict between Israel and Hamas. In a single attack in October 2023, Hamas killed over 1,000 Israelis. The group took 250 hostages to Gaza.

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Israel responded by launching a massive retaliatory attack on Gaza. This resulted in the deaths of tens thousands of people, and left large swaths untouched.

Israeli soldier Berger (20), whose release has been confirmed by the Israeli Government, was working as a watchman at the Nahal Oz base on the day of the attack.

Berger received a certificate with the Al-Qassam Brigades’ emblem, commemorating the cease-fire, before her release. The stage was set up in Jabaliya (northern Gaza), where people were expected to celebrate the liberation of Palestinian prisoners.

The release will also be broadcast on a large screen in Tel Aviv where the crowd cheered and whistled while watching Berger’s return. A clock displayed the number of days that the hostages had been held captive.