Hamas releases three Israeli hostages under ongoing Gaza truce
Hamas on Saturday released three hostages who remained in their captivity since the October 7 attacks, marking the latest development in the Gaza ceasefire deal which was reached on January 19.
Israel is expected to release 183 prisoners from their prison as part of the deal.
So far, 383 prisoners have been released, with 1,900 expected in total, BBC reported.
The released hostages were identified as Eli Sharabi, Or Levy and Ohad Ben Ami.
Today, as Or Levy returns home after enduring 491 days in captivity, his brother placed these drawings and a small ball, all gifts from Or’s son, Almog, at the initial reception point. pic.twitter.com/FqCPwkPlau
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 8, 2025
This was the fifth round of exchange since the ceasefire deal was reached.
The latest exchange occurred despite the next stage of the deal remains uncertain.
According to reports, the three hostages were handed over to Red Cross officials in the central city of Deir al-Balah.
The hostages were later handed over to Israel Defense Forces who took them back to Israel where they will undergo medical assessment.
During the first stage of the ceasefire, Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages in total in exchange for 1,900 prisoners.
Israel claims eight of the 33 hostages are dead.
During the October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered a war in Gaza, Hamas had captured 251 people as hostage and left 1200 people dead.
Sharabi was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri when Hamas terrorists rampaged through southern Israel on October 7, 2023, reported The Times of Israel.
According to reports, his wife and daughters were murdered in their home.
Sharabi and his brother Yossi were taken away by Hamas as hostages.
Yossi's death was confirmed later.
Sharabi's brother-in-law, Stephen Brisley, from Wales, said his safe return "has always been that one crumb of comfort".
"Eli coming home alive would be perhaps the greatest memorial to Lianne and the girls and we're so close to achieving that now," he told the BBC.
Ohad Ben Ami, 56, was taken hostage along with his wife Raz from Kibbutz Beeri.
Raz was later released.
According to reports, Levy, 34, was kidnapped from the Supernova festival on October 7, 2023.
His wife Einav was killed, and their now three-year-old son Almog has been staying with his grandparents, reported The Times of Israel.
