Hamas-led militants on Saturday freed three frail and visibly emaciated Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners in a deal related to an ongoing ceasefire, as a temporary truce has stalled the 16-month-long war in Gaza.
The freeing of the Israeli hostages—Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34—is a highly mixed story in Israel. While their families celebrated their return, many were shocked by the poor physical condition of many.
The men, among the 250 hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, looked significantly weaker compared to the previous hostages that were released. Videos of the release showed Hamas militants forcing them to make public statements before they were handed over to the Red Cross; this has outraged many in Israel.
This will add to more pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who earlier said he would resume the military operation against Hamas even at the cost of leaving more hostages behind. “We will do everything to return all the hostages, but Hamas will not be there,” Netanyahu said after the exchange.
As part of the deal, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, including men serving life sentences for attacks on Israelis. Many of the freed detainees also looked gaunt and ill-nourished, and at least seven were hospitalized upon being received by the Red Crescent. In past releases, numerous Palestinian prisoners have complained of ill-treatment in Israeli custody.
The first phase of the ceasefire calls for the freeing of 33 hostages in exchange for the almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Any discussions regarding the second phase will be very complicated, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested early this year that Palestinians should leave Gaza, which shocked every nation.
The ceasefire will expire in the first days of March, while Israel threatens, in the event of an impasse, to continue its war against Hamas and dismantle it; the Islamist organisation insists on no more releases “until the termination of war, the withdrawal of Israeli occupation from our land.”.
This has been the deadliest war between Israel and Hamas; it has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel says it has killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters but hasn’t provided any proof. If there is no negotiation, fighting could escalate very soon.
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