Hamas-led militants freed three Israeli hostages on Saturday. The men looked frail, thin, and exhausted. In exchange, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. This was the latest swap in a ceasefire deal that has halted 16 months of brutal war in Gaza.
Public outrage over hostages’ condition
The sight of the hostages shocked Israel. They looked far worse than the 18 hostages released before. Hamas forced them to speak at a handover event. Outrage spread fast. Pressure mounted on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Many demanded an extension of the ceasefire. But Netanyahu insisted the war would continue, even if it left hostages behind.
Dramatic handover in front of a crowd
A crowd of hundreds watched as armed militants led Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, onto a stage. The men spoke under duress before being handed to the Red Cross. They were among 250 people kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in a deadly attack that sparked the war.
Israelis watching the release felt joy—then horror. Their loved ones looked skeletal. Tears and anger filled the air. Their condition raised concerns about the fate of remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners. Some appeared weak. Seven were rushed to hospitals.
Fifth exchange since ceasefire began
This was the fifth exchange since the ceasefire started on January 19. The Red Cross expressed concern over how the releases were handled. It urged all parties to ensure humane treatment.
Malnutrition and abuse allegations
The Israeli Health Ministry confirmed “severe malnutrition” in the hostages. They had lost significant weight. “We will not stay silent on this,” said Gal Hirsch, Israel’s hostage affairs coordinator. Hamas, however, claimed it protected the hostages despite Israeli bombings.
U.S. proposal complicates negotiations
The ceasefire deal remains fragile. U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza. Israel supported the idea. Palestinians and most of the world rejected it. This could complicate the next phase of talks. Hamas may refuse to release more hostages if it believes Gaza will be depopulated.
Who were the hostages?
Sharabi and Ben Ami were kidnapped from Kibbutz Beeri, a farming community hit hard by Hamas. Levy was taken from the Nova music festival. Sharabi’s wife and two daughters were murdered in the attack. His brother Yossi was also kidnapped and later died in captivity. Levy’s wife was killed as well.
Ben Ami’s wife, Raz, was kidnapped with him. She was freed in November 2023 during an earlier ceasefire.
Who were the Palestinian prisoners?
Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners. They included 18 serving life sentences for deadly attacks, 54 with long-term sentences, and 111 detained after October 7. None had been tried. All were men, aged 20 to 61.
Seven prisoners were sent to Egypt. Others arrived in the West Bank to cheering crowds. Some were convicted of deadly bombings. One was Iyad Abu Shakhdam, 49, who had spent nearly 21 years in prison for his role in Hamas attacks. Another, Jamal al-Tawil, was a top Hamas figure in the West Bank.
It is unclear if negotiations for the next phase have started. If no deal is reached, fighting could resume by early March. Israel is determined to destroy Hamas. Hamas refuses to release more hostages unless Israel fully withdraws from Gaza.
On October 7, Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel’s war has killed over 47,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israel claims to have killed over 17,000 Hamas fighters.
The ceasefire hangs in the balance. The world watches closely. Will war reignite? Or will a lasting peace emerge?
