GAZA/JERUSALEM/CAIRO, Feb 8 – In a significant development amid the ongoing ceasefire, the Palestinian militant group Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday. Their frail and malnourished appearance shocked many in Israel, underscoring the dire conditions they endured during captivity. In response, Israel commenced the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreed-upon terms to extend the ceasefire and work toward ending hostilities in Gaza.
The three hostages, identified as Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and Or Levy, taken from the Nova music festival, were escorted onto a platform by armed Hamas members. Their weak and gaunt physical condition was a stark contrast to the previously released hostages.
A Shocking Reunion
As the hostages were paraded before cameras, their frailty was evident. “He was so thin, it was heartbreaking to watch,” said Michal Cohen, Ben Ami’s mother-in-law, as she witnessed the live handover. During the transfer, a masked Hamas member questioned the captives as gunmen stood on either side, reinforcing the militant group’s show of force.
Hamas militants deployed in large numbers across central Gaza as the hostages were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They were then transported in ICRC vehicles to Israeli forces, where they were swiftly flown to hospitals for urgent medical evaluation. Emotional reunions followed, with Levy’s mother, Geula, tearfully embracing her son and exclaiming, “We missed you so much.”
Israeli Leaders Condemn Hostage Treatment
Israeli leaders expressed outrage over the hostages’ condition. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called their frailty “deeply disturbing” and vowed to address the matter. President Isaac Herzog described the scene as a “cynical and cruel display,” condemning Hamas for what he termed “inhumane treatment.”
The Hostage Families Forum, an organization advocating for the release of Israeli captives, compared the harrowing images of the freed men to Holocaust survivors, emphasizing the urgency of securing the release of all remaining hostages. “We must get every last one out of this nightmare,” the group stated.
Prisoner Exchange and Palestinian Reactions
As part of the agreement, Israel released 183 Palestinian detainees, including individuals convicted of involvement in deadly attacks. Additionally, 111 others who had been detained in Gaza during the war were also freed.
Cheering crowds welcomed the released detainees as they arrived in Gaza. Families and supporters embraced them, some breaking down in tears while removing prison-issued identification bracelets. In the West Bank city of Ramallah, where many of the released prisoners were taken, celebrations erupted.
Among those freed was Eyad Abu Shkaidem, previously sentenced to 18 life terms for organizing attacks in retaliation for Israel’s 2004 targeted killings of Hamas leaders. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Today, I am reborn,” as crowds chanted in celebration.
Medical personnel from the Palestinian Red Crescent reported that six of the 42 released prisoners from the West Bank were in critical health and required immediate hospitalization. Some former detainees spoke of mistreatment during their incarceration. “We faced relentless mistreatment for over a year under the occupation,” said Shkaidem.
The Emotional Toll on Families
For some of the hostages, the return home was bittersweet. Eli Sharabi, unaware of the fate of his family, was reportedly devastated upon arrival. His two teenage daughters and British-born wife were killed in the attack on Kibbutz Be’eri. Israeli media reported that he had not been informed of their deaths before his release and had asked about their whereabouts upon arriving in Israel.
Or Levy, who survived the Nova festival attack, will now reunite with his three-year-old son. His wife was killed during the assault. Doctors at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv reported that the freed hostages showed signs of severe malnutrition and extreme weight loss.
Ceasefire Holds Amid Uncertainty
With this latest exchange, 16 Israeli and five Thai hostages have been released so far, while 583 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been freed under the ceasefire terms. The initial 42-day ceasefire, brokered by mediators from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, has largely held since its implementation on January 19. However, uncertainty looms over the deal’s continuation.
On Saturday, Israeli officials traveled to Doha for further negotiations, as concerns grow that the agreement may unravel before the remaining 76 hostages are freed. Tensions heightened following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting that Palestinians should be relocated from Gaza, with the enclave being transformed into a luxurious resort destination. Arab nations and Palestinian groups swiftly rejected the proposal, denouncing it as an attempt at forced displacement.
Hamas, seizing on the hostage release as a moment of political leverage, emphasized that its military presence in Gaza remains a key factor in any post-war resolution. “We will not be excluded from shaping Gaza’s future,” a Hamas spokesperson declared.
What Comes Next?
Under the ongoing ceasefire agreement, 33 Israeli children, women, and vulnerable individuals are slated for release in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Talks have already begun for a second phase, which aims to secure the freedom of all remaining hostages and set the stage for an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, has caused immense destruction and loss. According to Israeli figures, Hamas-led gunmen killed approximately 1,200 people and kidnapped over 250 hostages during their initial attack. In response, Israel launched an extensive military operation in Gaza, which, according to Gaza health officials, has resulted in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction of the territory.
As negotiations continue, the world watches closely to see whether both sides will commit to an extended truce, bringing an end to one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history.