On Saturday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released three Israeli hostages, their emaciated appearance causing shock among Israelis as the event was broadcast live on television. This release marks a significant development in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations to conclude the 15-month conflict in Gaza.
Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri during the cross-border Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, along with Or Levy, abducted from the Nova music festival that same day, were seen being escorted onto a Hamas podium by gunmen.
The three men presented a striking contrast to the 18 hostages released earlier under last month’s truce, appearing thin, weak, and pale, and in noticeably worse condition.
“He appeared emaciated, it was distressing to witness,” Michal Cohen, Ohad Ben Ami’s mother-in-law, recounted to Channel 13 News while observing the Hamas-directed handover ceremony. The event featured individuals responding to inquiries from a masked figure flanked by militants wielding automatic rifles on either side.
In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, dozens of armed Hamas fighters were present as the men were transferred to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was tasked with transporting them to Israeli forces in the region.
Israel is set to release 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of a deal, according to Hamas. Among those being released are individuals convicted of involvement in attacks that resulted in numerous fatalities, including 18 who are currently serving life sentences and 111 who were detained in Gaza during the conflict.
Families of Israeli hostages held incommunicado in Gaza for over a year have experienced a tumultuous journey filled with both dread and hope as they anticipate the possibility of a reunion.
For some, the return is marked by significant pain. In a tragic incident during the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Be’eri, Sharabi lost his two teenage daughters and his British-born wife, highlighting the devastating impact on the community, where one in ten residents fell victim to the violence.
The recent exchange marks another chapter in an ongoing series of swaps, which have successfully led to the return of 13 Israeli and five Thai hostages taken during the Hamas attack while also resulting in the release of 583 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
In a notable development, a 42-day ceasefire and a hostage-for-prisoner exchange, facilitated by U.S. support and mediation from Egypt and Qatar, have remained intact since their implementation nearly three weeks ago, despite some challenges.
Concerns are mounting that the agreement could fall apart before all hostages are released, following U.S. President Donald Trump‘s unexpected suggestion to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and transfer control of the enclave to the United States, with plans to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Arab states and Palestinian groups have dismissed the proposal, with critics arguing that it would constitute ethnic cleansing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed approval of Trump’s intervention, while his defense minister directed the military to prepare plans facilitating the departure of Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates the release of 33 Israeli children, women, and vulnerable individuals, including sick, wounded, and older men, in an initial phase. This exchange is set against the backdrop of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees being released.
This week marked the commencement of negotiations for a second phase, focussing on the return of the remaining hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, setting the stage for a potential conclusion to the ongoing conflict.
On October 7, 2023, gunmen affiliated with Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages, as reported by Israeli sources.
In a decisive move, Israel initiated an air and ground offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 47,000 Palestinians, as reported by health authorities in the region, and causing widespread destruction across the densely populated enclave.
