Agam Berger, 20, was careful to observe Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and keep kosher during her time in captivity.
“I will wait for Agam, with G-d’s help, when she comes, with as little Shabbat desecration as possible,” she shared.
Agam was released Thursday following Israel’s insistence that Hamas release civilian Arbel Yehud before the Netzarim Crossing, which separates northern Gaza from southern Gaza, be opened.
With Hamas’ release of four IDF soldiers before civilian Arbel Yehud’s release, the terror group violated the deal.
In addition to Agam and Arbel, Gadi Mozes (80) and five Thai workers are expected to be released Thursday.
The 20-year-old Agam Berger was cautious to keep kosher and observe Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, while she was in captivity.
In addition to six other IDF lookouts, Berger was abducted from the Nahal Oz military base on October 7.
One of the lookouts, Liri Albag, who was released on Saturday after being detained with Berger, informed Agam’s mother that her daughter stayed kosher while in captivity and refrained from eating any of the meat.
Liri stated, “Agam made the decision to uphold her principles and her faith in spite of the challenging circumstances and the scarcity of alternatives.”.
Agam’s mother, Merav Berger, requested last week that Israeli media refrain from desecrating Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, by reporting on her daughter’s release, which was scheduled for Shabbat.
She remarked, “We are eagerly anticipating our daughters.”. “We are also aware that it will reportedly occur on Shabbat, and it appears that our adversaries planned for it to occur. It’s important to me, and I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how I’m going to do it without desecrating Shabbat. “.”.
After consulting with rabbis, including a prominent member of the military rabbinate, she added, she made the decision to wait for her daughter Agam with the least amount of Shabbat desecration possible.
She said, “With the assistance of God, I will wait for Agam when she arrives, with the least amount of desecration to Shabbat as possible.”. “Those of you who have supported us throughout this entire journey and who have the immense merit of bringing our children home, I beg you to please refrain from desecrating Shabbat. “..”.
“Avoid taking pictures, avoid being photographed, and bide your time until Shabbat is over. There will be plenty of time to take pictures and be photographed when we come out at the end of Shabbat. “..”.
Israeli demands that Hamas free civilian Arbel Yehud before opening the Netzarim Crossing, which divides northern and southern Gaza, led to Agam’s release on Thursday. It was agreed that civilian women would be released before IDF soldiers under the ceasefire-prisoner swap agreement between Israel and Hamas. Hamas broke the agreement by releasing four IDF soldiers before civilian Arbel Yehud. Following a series of discussions, Hamas consented to release three hostages on Thursday and three more on Saturday in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
Five Thai employees and Gadi Mozes (80) are also anticipated to be released on Thursday, along with Agam and Arbel.