DAY 482 OF CAPTIVITY – DAY 12 OF THE CEASEFIRE: Agam Berger, Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud Are Home, Five Thai Nationals Released by Hamas, Soldier Killed in Jenin
Tel Aviv Diary, January 30, 2025
Today has been another deeply emotional day in Israel. A few minutes ago (at 4:30 PM), I heard a familiar sound above—the whir of a helicopter—a noise I usually dread. It often signals that a gravely wounded soldier is being rushed to nearby Ichilov Hospital. But this time, I was overwhelmed with tears of joy and relief. This helicopter wasn’t carrying an injured soldier—it was carrying Gadi Mozes, the 80-year-old hostage, finally returning home.
The day began early, with all Israeli networks beginning their full-time coverage of the hostage release at 6 AM. The initial hours were dominated by commentary from the usual analysts and experts. Then, Islamic Jihad provided a powerful, moving image: an emotional reunion between Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud, seeing each other for the first time since their capture. Mozes and Yehoud are both from Kibbutz Nir Oz. The sight of Gadi Mozes, 80 years old and 482 days in captivity, standing as they strongly embraced, was a profoundly emotional moment.
By 9:30 AM, we began to see movement in Gaza, as Hamas began preparations for the release. Once again, Hamas appeared to have prepared a formal handover ceremony. This release took place in northern Gaza, in the Jabalia area; an area with fewer people and where Hamas maintained firm control.
Red Cross vehicles arrived, and a Hamas representative was seen signing paperwork to “officially” transfer custody of Agam Berger.
Before long, Agam appeared from a pathway above and descended a flight of steps. She was then led to the stage, and, following the example of those released on Saturday, she raised her hands and smiled.
Alone, surrounded by Hamas terrorists, this courageous young woman stood unshaken. Agam then proceeded to the Red Cross vehicle, which transported her to Israeli troops in Gaza. There, she transferred to an IDF vehicle and was taken to the Re’em base, where her parents were waiting to embrace her.
Next on the day’s agenda was the scheduled release of Gadi Mozes and Arbel Yehoud, expected around 11 AM. What unfolded, however, was a large gathering of terrorists in Khan Younis, southern Gaza—marking the first release of hostages held by Islamic Jihad.
A car arrived, presumably carrying the hostages, but it stopped far from the Red Cross vehicles. For nearly an hour, we watched as the vehicle struggled to move forward with little success. Then, finally, there was movement. The two hostages were being pushed through a massive crowd of thousands of Gazans.
For about five minutes, I believe the entire nation held its breath, fearing the hostages might not make it through the dense horde. We caught brief, intermittent glimpses of Mozes and Arbel as they were escorted toward the Red Cross vehicles.
Only once they finally got inside and the cars began to move did a collective sigh of relief sweep across the country.
After reuniting with her family, Agam Berger was flown to Bellinson Hospital where she joined her four fellow soldiers who had been released the previous week. Agam then met with the rest of her family.
Mozes reunited first with his son and, a little later, with the rest of his family. Despite being 80 years old, Mozes appeared to be in reasonable health. According to his doctors, while Mozes may have some serious underlying health conditions, none are critical. In his first public statement, Mozes declared that he would dedicate all his efforts to revitalizing his beloved kibbutz.
Alongside the released hostages, the Red Cross also facilitated the evacuation of five Thai workers—Sathian Suwannakham (34), Pongsak Thenna (35), Bannawat Seathao (27), Watchara Sriaoun (32), and Surasak Lamnau, (30)—who had all been held captive since October 7.
The reasons for their detention by Hamas and the group's objectives have never been clear. Throughout their captivity, these workers were confined to underground tunnels. Thankfully, they are now safe, and are receiving medical care in an Israeli hospital, which has established a dedicated wing for them. This area features signage in Thai, offers Thai cuisine, provides translators, and includes various cultural elements to create a more familiar and welcoming environment. Israel has arranged for their families to fly in and reunite with them, and they will receive the same financial support that was extended to the Israeli hostages.
THE PRICE OF THE HOSTAGE DEAL
This afternoon was time to pay the price for the freedom of our three hostages who returned home this morning—110 Palestinian terrorists, including 33 serving life sentences, were released from prison.
WEST BANK
The day’s joyful development was tempered by tragic news: a soldier was killed this morning in Jenin. First Sergeant Liam Hazi, (20) from Rosh HaAyin, fell in combat with terrorists.
The IDF has been conducting an ongoing operation in Jenin and has announced plans to maintain a presence in the area. Meanwhile, additional operations are underway across the West Bank.
The IDF Spokesman issued the following statement regarding its West Bank operations:
In a joint operation by the IDF and Shin Bet last night (Wednesday), an Israeli Air Force aircraft targeted a group of armed terrorists in the Tamon area, part of the Menasha Brigade, as part of the ongoing military operation in the Judea and Samaria Division.
The airstrike eliminated approximately ten terrorists, including Omar Basharat and Muntasar Bani Odeh, who were involved in the January 20, 2025, IED attack in Tamon, which killed Reservist Staff Sergeant Evyatar Ben Yehuda and wounded three other soldiers. The two were also linked to other shooting and bombing attacks.
This operation is a direct continuation of the intensive counterterrorism efforts led by the IDF and Shin Bet against terrorist infrastructure in northern Samaria.
PRIEST REBUKED FOR RAISING PRO-NAZI SALUTE
At the National Pro-Life Summit, one of the speakers, Father Calvin Robinson, a priest in the Anglican Catholic Akers, concluded his speech with a pro-Nazi salute—which was met with enthusiastic approval from the audience. Jonathan Last of The Bulkwark wrote, “He was attempting to use mainstream objections about Hitler salutes to launder the Hitler salute and make it an acceptable in-group identity maker.” Last continued, “This would be morally reprehensible for anyone, but coming from a Christian minister? Lord have mercy.”
The Anglican Catholic Church was not pleased, and swiftly responded, issuing the following statement last night:
At approximately 3:00 pm today (1/29) members of the College of Bishops of the ACC were made aware of a post made on X showing the end of a speech made by Calvin Robinson at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, DC. In it, he closed his comments with a gesture that many have interpreted as a pro-Nazi salute.
While we cannot say what was in Mr. Robinson’s heart when he did this, his action appears to have been an attempt to curry favor with certain elements of the American political right by provoking its opposition. Mr. Robinson had been warned that online trolling and other such actions (whether in service of the left or right) are incompatible with a priestly vocation and was told to desist. Clearly, he has not, and as such, his license in this Church has been revoked. He is no longer serving as a priest in the ACC.
Furthermore, we understand that this is not just an administrative matter. The Holocaust was an episode of unspeakable horror, enacted by a regime of evil men. We condemn Nazi ideology and antisemitism in all its forms. And we believe that those who mimic the Nazi salute, even as a joke or an attempt to troll their opponents, trivialize the horror of the Holocaust and diminish the sacrifice of those who fought against its perpetrators. Such actions are harmful, divisive, and contrary to the tenets of Christian charity.
Finally, we pray that God will give us grace to lay aside our unhappy divisions, and we commend our nation and ourselves to his Almighty protection.
TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER AGAINST ANTISEMITISM
Despite my long list of reservations regarding some of President Trump’s early decisions when it comes to Israel, and seemingly American Jewry, he has recently taken steps that are undeniably commendable. Yesterday, Trump issued an executive order titled “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” directing federal agencies to implement new measures against antisemitism on college campuses and to monitor certain activities by involving foreign students and staff.
The executive order asserts that Jewish students have faced widespread discrimination, restricted access to campus facilities, and physical threats. It mandates that by March 30, 2025, each federal agency must identify civil and criminal measures to combat antisemitism, including addressing violations linked to campus incidents that occurred following October 7, 2023.
During his previous term, Trump issued Executive Order 13899 (2019), which enforced Title VI protections and encouraged agencies to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The new order asserts that the Biden administration effectively “nullified” this policy by failing to enforce it. Furthermore, it reaffirms EO 13899 and introduces additional measures in response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel.
The order directs the attorney general to review court cases involving civil-rights violations related to campus antisemitism. It also requires the secretaries of state, education, and homeland security to monitor and report activities by foreign students and staff that could warrant investigation or removal, in accordance with federal law.
Lastly, the new order also instructs the attorney general to apply federal civil-rights enforcement authorities, citing 18 U.S. Code 241, which prohibits conspiracies to injure, threaten, or intimidate individuals.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
Yesterday, two significant stories emerged from Columbia University, and I am grateful to a friend who sent me a link to the Columbia Spectator featuring both articles. As an alumnus with my own personal experiences at Columbia, I will continue to write about the narratives that emerge from there.
Columbia University Administration condemned the inclusion of political views in lab notes for an Astronomy Lab I class, attributing the insertions to a graduate teaching assistant, according to a statement released Tuesday.
Lab notes obtained by Spectator newspaper included a unit titled “Astronomy in Palestine”, instructing students to “understand the privileges” of studying astronomy without “worrying about being caught in an airstrike.” They also referenced the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging students to reflect on Palestinian astronomers’ experiences.
The university declined to comment beyond the Office of Public Affairs’ statement but confirmed that Greg Bryan, chair of the astronomy department and course instructor, had not reviewed the lab notes beforehand.
Columbia determined the materials violated university policy and department guidelines, citing the faculty handbook:
Faculty should confine their classes to the subject matter covered by their courses and not use them to advocate any political or social cause.
Now the question remains, will Columbia take any additional action?
In more aggressive acts, protesters clogged the sewage system at Columbia’s International Affairs Building (IAB) and sprayed Henry R. Kravis Hall at the Business School with red paint. These incidents were documented in a video posted on Instagram by New York City Resists with Gaza and Columbia University Apartheid Divest.
In an email sent Wednesday night, SIPA Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo reported that the women’s restrooms on the fourth, sixth, 14th, and 15th floors of the International Affairs Building (IAB) were clogged with a cement-like substance, while the 15th-floor walls were spray-painted. The University classified the vandalism as graffiti, which included “disturbing, personal attacks,” according to the Office of Public Affairs.
The Instagram post, labeled an “anonymous submission,” claimed responsibility for defacing Kravis Hall and IAB on the anniversary of Hind Rajab’s death. Hind was a six-year-old Palestinian girl mistakenly killed by the Israeli military. On April 30, 2024, pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Hamilton Hall, renaming it “Hind’s Hall” in her honor.
In the video, a dark substance is seen being flushed down communal toilets, and bathroom walls are spray-painted with various messages, including: • “5.3.2018—1.29.2024 Hind called we must answer” and • “I’m scared please help – HIND AGE 6”
Additionally, protesters targeted their graffiti at Dean Keren Yarhi-Milo and SIPA adjunct professor Rebecca Weiner (NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism), with messages that read: “Keren eat Weiner,” alongside a drawing of feces.
IRON BEAM: A Breakthrough in High-Energy Laser Air Defense
An interesting article in Defense News shed light on the Iron Beam, revealing several new details. Notably, “Iron Beam” is poised to become the first widely deployed high-energy laser weapon, marking a significant technological breakthrough in directed energy weapons. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, Iron Beam was designed to complement Iron Dome, enhancing Israel’s air defense against missiles, drones, and other aerial threats. It will become operational in the latter half of the year.
One of the biggest historical obstacles to high-energy laser weapons has been atmospheric interference. As laser beams travel through the air, density and turbulence cause energy dispersion, weakening their effectiveness. While smaller laser systems have been used for short-range drone defense, no military has successfully deployed a high-powered laser system capable of intercepting fast-moving missiles and larger aerial threats at long range.
Iron Beam solves this problem by firing hundreds of small, coin-sized beams instead of a single large beam. Individually, these beams are too weak to destroy a target, but they remain stable in the atmosphere and do not disperse. Once a single beam strikes the target, advanced telescopic reflection sensors detect the impact, triggering the system to redirect additional beams to the same point. This feedback loop, operating at hundreds of recalibrations per second, rapidly focuses energy onto a vulnerable spot, disabling the threat.
Iron Beam’s AI-powered tracking system continuously analyzes incoming threats and determines the optimal interception method—either a laser strike or a Tamir interceptor missile from Iron Dome. Given that Iron Dome already has a 95% success rate, integrating Iron Beam could push its effectiveness even higher, while significantly reducing operational costs, as lasers are significantly cheaper per intercept than traditional Tamir missiles.
Iron Beam has been successfully tested at ranges of tens of kilometers and will continue to increase its operational distance. While initial deployment will focus on land-based integration with Iron Dome, Rafael is also developing mobile, standalone, and maritime versions, expanding potential applications for naval and expeditionary forces.
Implications for Global Defense … Israel’s success with Iron Beam represents a milestone in laser weapons development, achieving what the U.S. military and defense industry have struggled with for decades. The U.S. Navy, for instance, has faced difficulties deploying ship-mounted lasers due to vessel movement affecting targeting precision. By overcoming atmospheric dispersion and real-time targeting challenges, Iron Beam provides a scalable, operationally viable solution.
In December 2022, Lockheed Martin signed an agreement with Rafael to develop a U.S. variant of Iron Beam, potentially addressing America’s need for a high-energy laser defense system.
Bio Micro Science Revolutionizes Cardiac & Neuro-vascular Procedures
Bio Micro Science, an Israeli startup, is at the forefront of medical technology innovation, developing cutting-edge solutions for cardiac and neuro-vascular catheterization. Their latest devices, the ‘Ninja’ for heart procedures and the ‘Slider’ for brain interventions, are set to transform the field with their patented technologies.
The Ninja device significantly improves outcomes in coronary artery disease—the leading global cause of death—by simplifying and enhancing the stenting process. Unlike traditional methods that often struggle with rigid, calcified arterial blockages, the Ninja integrates a thin-profile balloon directly onto the guidewire, allowing for simultaneous passage and expansion through tight constrictions. This streamlined approach reduces the need for more invasive procedures, offering a cost-effective and easily deployable solution that can be quickly adopted in critical scenarios.
The Slider is designed for brain catheterization, providing a patent-protected method to navigate intricate cerebral vessels with precision. Its innovative design minimizes procedural risks and enhances safety, making it an invaluable tool for treating conditions like ischemic strokes and aneurysms.
Developed with insights from leading experts such as Prof. Amit Segev (Sheba Medical Center), Dr. David Orion, and Dr. Ricardo Krakover, these devices embody a blend of clinical expertise and advanced engineering. The team at Bio Micro Science is supported by a network of world-renowned specialists, ensuring that each device meets the highest standards of medical care.
Currently, Bio Micro Science is conducting a Seed funding round through the Exit Valley platform, aiming to raise capital for preclinical research and further development. Their technologies, particularly the Ninja, have the potential to eliminate the need for bypass surgeries in cases where traditional methods fail, marking a significant advancement in minimally invasive cardiology.
With a focus on simplicity, affordability, and efficiency, Bio Micro Science is set to reshape the landscape of cardiac and neuro-vascular interventions, offering new hope for patients worldwide.
Finout
Finout, a startup specializing in cloud infrastructure cost management for large enterprises, has raised $40 million in a Series-C round led by Insight Partners, with continued backing from Red Dot Capital, Pitango, Team8, and Maor Investments. This latest funding, secured just eight months after a $26.5 million round, brings the company’s total investment to $85 million since its founding.
Finout’s cloud-agnostic cost management platform helps enterprises gain visibility and control over their cloud spending. It offers cost allocation, unit economics analysis, and forecasting tools, enabling organizations to track expenses by teams, features, and business units while providing granular insights at the customer, transaction, and feature level. The platform is trusted by major clients, including SiriusXM, Lyft, The New York Times, Choice Hotels, Wiz, Tenable, and Alchemy.
Founded in 2021 by Roi Ravhon (CEO), Asaf Liveanu (CPO), and Yizhar Gilboa (CTO), Finout was born from the founders’ experience at Logz.io and the Israeli military’s Unit 8200. In April, the company acquired Cloudthread, a competitor in cloud cost optimization, and added Mat Ellis, founder and former CEO of Cloudability (acquired by IBM), to its board of directors.
Oligo Security
Oligo delivers deep application inspection at runtime, providing real-time visibility into library and function-level activity. This enables security teams to accurately identify code vulnerabilities and assess their actual usage, offering a clear, risk-based understanding of application security. The platform also continuously monitors application behavior, detecting anomalies and preventing threats before they escalate into breaches.
Co-founded by Nadav Czerninski (CEO), Gal Elbaz (CTO), and Avshalom Hilu (CPO), Oligo was built by childhood friends and former officers from Israel’s elite cyber units (8200, 81, and Matzov—the Center for Encryption and Information Security). Over the past two years, the company has experienced rapid growth, serving government agencies and major enterprises across finance, healthcare, and technology—including Fortune 500 companies. Oligo Security currently employs over 50 people across its development center in Israel and offices in New York.
Clutch Security
Clutch Security, an Israeli cybersecurity startup specializing in Non-Human Identity (NHI) protection, has secured $20 million in Series A funding. SignalFire led the round, with existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners and Merlin Ventures also participating. This latest investment brings Clutch's total funding to $28.5 million, achieved within a year of beginning platform development.
The company plans to utilize the fresh capital to accelerate market expansion, advance research and development initiatives, and grow its team.
At the core of Clutch Security's mission is addressing a critical yet often overlooked aspect of cybersecurity: Non-Human Identities. These digital identities encompass API keys, tokens, service accounts, and machine-based credentials that operate without direct human oversight. While organizations have historically concentrated on protecting human user identities, NHIs have emerged as attractive targets for cybercriminals, particularly due to their widespread deployment, extensive access permissions, and traditionally limited security oversight.
To combat these vulnerabilities, Clutch has developed a platform based on Zero Trust principles. This architecture requires authentication for every access attempt, effectively reducing potential attack vectors. The solution eliminates the need for static credentials and manual rotation processes, thereby enhancing both security posture and operational efficiency.
The company was established in late 2023 by a team of seasoned cybersecurity professionals. CEO Ophir Har-Chen brings experience as the former COO of Hunters and expertise from Sygnia. He is joined by CTO Shagai Hess and VP R&D Tal Kimchi, who previously held leadership positions at Axonius. Currently, Clutch Security maintains offices in Tel Aviv and the United States, employing 30 people. The company projects its workforce will expand beyond 40 employees by year's end.
Seraphic Security
Seraphic Security, a cybersecurity company specializing in browser security, has raised $29 million in a Series-A funding round led by GreatPoint Ventures and CrowdStrike’s investment fund, with participation from existing investors.
Founded in 2020 by Avihai Cohen and Ilan Yeshua (former CEO of Walla), the company now employs over 50 people.
Seraphic Security operates in a competitive market with several Israeli cybersecurity firms, including Talon Security (acquired by Palo Alto Networks) and Island. However, unlike these companies, Seraphic has developed a lightweight software component that integrates directly into the browser, preventing cyberattacks without requiring complex installations.
The company’s solution eliminates slow, costly, and resource-intensive security processes, offering a seamless and efficient alternative to traditional browser security tools.