HAMAS FREES THREE HOSTAGES AS ISRAELIS CONCERNED BY THEIR FRAIL APPEARANCE
On day 491 of their captivity in Gaza, three male Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—were handed over to the Red Cross in the central city of Deir al-B…
Dailyreelsblog
February 08, 2025
On day 491 of their captivity in Gaza, three male Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—were handed over to the Red Cross in the central city of Deir al-Balah. The transfer was orderly, unlike the chaotic scenes surrounding the release of Israeli and Thai hostages in Gaza last week, but the three men looked thin and pale as they were led onto a makeshift stage.
This was the fifth round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas, leaving many Israelis worried about the appearance of the freed captives and in the midst of uncertainty regarding the next phase of the ceasefire.
Upon their release, many of the Palestinian prisoners whom Israel released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal also looked malnourished and unwell.
Israel has condemned the photos taken during the handover on Saturday. Levy, who was freed because he was deemed a humanitarian case, looked very weak.
While Israel's Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the appearances of the released hostages "disturbing," the Israeli government called the scenes "shocking" and stated they "would not go unaddressed."
Raz Ben Ami, Ben Ami's wife, was also captured on that day but was released in November 2023 during a brief ceasefire.
The kibbutz claims that Sharabi's wife and daughters were slain in the October 7 incident. He may or may not be aware that they are dead. The Israeli military claims that his brother Yossi Sharabi, who was captured, died in Gaza and that his body is still there.
In return for the three Israelis, Hamas has stated that it wants Israel to free 183 Palestinian detainees on Saturday. The names and quantities of the inmates anticipated to be released have not yet been confirmed by Israel.
According to a statement from Hamas, 18 of the Palestinian inmates scheduled for release on Saturday are serving life sentences, 54 have lower terms, and 111 were held in Gaza after October 7. It was unclear what the 111 was charged with.
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