DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — In a significant development amid an ongoing conflict, Hamas-controlled militants released three Israeli hostages who appeared ill and frail, while Israel, in turn, freed nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners. This exchange comes as a ceasefire has temporarily halted 16 months of conflict in Gaza.
The deteriorating condition of the released hostages, along with the circumstances surrounding their handover—which included being compelled to speak on camera—provoked intense reactions in Israel. This uncertainty could intensify the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider prolonging the ceasefire, which is currently set for a six-week period. Netanyahu has indicated he is prepared to reignite military operations, even if that means leaving a number of hostages with Hamas. “President Trump completely agreed with me: We will do everything to return all the hostages, but Hamas will not be there,” the Prime Minister remarked after the exchange.
Among the civilians released were Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, who were abducted during the sweeping Hamas attacks on Israel that began on October 7, 2023. The reaction in Israel shifted from joy to disbelief and sorrow as the public witnessed the poor physical condition of these individuals.
In reciprocation, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom also appeared weakened and malnourished, leading the Red Crescent to report that seven required hospitalization. Claims of mistreatment have emerged from numerous Palestinians released during this ceasefire. This marks the fifth such exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19, bringing the total number of released hostages to twenty-one.
The Red Cross expressed increasing concern regarding the conditions surrounding such release operations, calling for the process to respect the dignity and privacy of all involved.
As the first phase of the ceasefire aims for the liberation of 33 hostages alongside almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, there is suspicion that not everyone held captive is still alive. Israeli Health Ministry representative Dr. Hagar Mizrahi highlighted observations of “severe malnutrition” noted among the released hostages, amplifying worries for the remaining captives in Gaza. Relatives are acutely aware that the urgency of these operations has reached a critical point. Moshe Or, whose brother Avinatan Or is a hostage, remarked, “If anyone had any doubt about how urgent it is to bring everyone back … today we got a wake-up call.”
Gal Hirsch, who coordinates hostage affairs for Netanyahu, emphasized the necessity for action and stated, “We will not remain silent about this.” In response to military pressures, Hamas asserted its efforts to safeguard the hostages amid the ongoing bombardment by Israel.
Discussions regarding the ceasefire’s technical details are underway, with Netanyahu directing a team to Qatar for negotiations surrounding the next phase, which entails further hostage releases in exchange for a more enduring truce.
The reunited hostages, Sharabi and Ben Ami, were taken from Kibbutz Beeri, while Levy was abducted at a music festival. For the first time, they are comprehending the disturbing fates of their loved ones, with reports detailing family tragedies, including the deaths of wives and children. Emotional reunifications ensued, with Levy’s brother expressing relief at his return.
The Palestinian prisoners freed included individuals with long sentences for serious incidents targeting Israelis, as well as men arrested after the initial attack who had not faced trials. These detainees ranged in age from 20 to 61, highlighting a pervasive impact on the Palestinian community as virtually everyone has a connection to someone who has been imprisoned.
Some prisoners were transported to Egypt, while others returned to Palestinian custody in the West Bank, where they were met with celebratory crowds. Notably, one of the released prisoners, Iyad Abu Shakhdam, spent almost 21 years in confinement for his involvement in attacks targeting civilians. He remarked on being out of touch with events beyond prison walls since October 7.
The war, characterized as the most lethal and devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas, stands at a critical juncture, with potential for hostilities to resume as early as March if a comprehensive agreement is not reached. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, while the Palestinian toll exceeds 47,000, including a significant number of women and children, according to local health authorities.
Israel asserts that it is committed to dismantling Hamas, which continues to maintain its dominance in Gaza despite ongoing assaults. Hamas has warned that without a halt to the hostilities and a full Israeli withdrawal, they have no intention of releasing the remaining hostages.
