Three more Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the freeing of 183 Palestinian prisoners.
Israeli hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross. They are now back in Israel – the three men looked thin and gaunt.
Israel’s prison service said that all 183 Palestinian prisoners due to be released today have now been freed. According to the Palestine Red Crescent Society, seven of them have been taken to hospital.
The process today is part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that started on 19 January. This week, the release of hostages and prisoners is overshadowed by Trump’s “Riviera” scheme, in which the US President declared his intention to takeover and own Gaza, while rebuilding it.
Israel and Hamas have completed the fifth exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as agreed under stage one of the ceasefire process.
The three Israelis – Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy – were released first, but Hamas’ choreography of the release has drawn criticism.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said the country “would not gloss over the shocking scenes”, referring to the pictures of their release broadcast around the world.
In front of a large crowd in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, the three men were taken one at a time to a small stage and made to speak to the crowd and Hamas media before being handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The health and appearance of the three men caused concern, with Ben Ahmi’s daughter saying she “barely recognised” her dad but a spokesman for Hamas said the hostage release was “civilised.”
