Deir al-Balah: In a major development, Israel and Hamas completed a fifth round of prisoner exchanges. Three Israeli hostages and 183 Palestinian prisoners were freed. The swap took place on Saturday, with Israel condemning the frail condition of its returned captives.
Israeli Hostages Appear Weak and Malnourished
Hamas held the released Israeli hostages—Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy—in Gaza for 491 days. In Deir al-Balah, officials handed the three men over to the Red Cross during the exchange.
Unlike previous transfers, this handover was orderly. However, the hostages appeared on stage looking thin and weak before officials took them to Israel. Their poor condition sparked outrage from Israeli officials.
Levy, released on humanitarian grounds, looked especially frail. The Israeli government called the images “shocking” and vowed to address the situation. A hostages’ advocacy group described their appearance as “disturbing.”
Families React to the Exchange
The Nir Oz kibbutz, severely affected by the October 7 Hamas attack, expressed mixed emotions. While happy about the hostages’ return, they criticized delays in securing their freedom.
Kidnappers took Ben Ami and Sharabi from their homes in Kibbutz Be’eri. Ben Ami’s wife was freed in a previous exchange. The attack killed Sharabi’s wife and daughters, and his brother died in Gaza. It is unclear whether he is aware of their deaths.
Someone abducted Levy from the Nova music festival. The attack killed his wife, and his three-year-old son is waiting for him in Israel.
Hamas Continues Hostage Releases
Hamas has so far freed 16 Israeli hostages under the ceasefire agreement. Officials have already declared eight of the 33 individuals promised for release dead. Hamas and allied groups still hold 73 hostages from the October 7 attack. Three other captives have been in Gaza since 2014.
Palestinian Prisoners Freed in Exchange
Israel freed 183 Palestinian prisoners on the same day. Officials transported some to Ramallah, where videos showed them appearing weak and frail. Many former detainees have reported abuse, malnutrition, and mistreatment in Israeli prisons.
Eighteen of those released were serving life sentences. Another 54 had shorter sentences, while 111 were recently detained in Gaza. The exact charges against them remain unclear.
Reports of Abuse in Israeli Prisons
Israel has faced criticism over its treatment of Palestinian detainees. Reports say that Former National Security Minister Ben Gvir ordered officials to cut food rations to survival levels. In April 2024, he suggested Palestinian prisoners should be executed.
Despite these claims, the Israel Prison Service (IPS) insists it follows legal standards. A court ruling in October 2024 required Sde Teiman prison to improve its conditions. However, rights groups continue to raise concerns.
The Ongoing Conflict and Future Uncertainty
The war, sparked by the October 7 attack, has led to massive casualties. Over 1,200 Israelis died in the Hamas assault. The destruction in Gaza has caused a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food, water, and medical aid.
The conflict has also spread beyond Gaza. Israel is engaged in clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. The risk of a broader regional war remains high.
Ceasefire and Political Unrest
The current ceasefire deal is set to expire on March 1, and negotiations remain uncertain. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hesitant about a full troop withdrawal from Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has threatened to resign if the ceasefire continues.
Adding to the tension, U.S. President Donald Trump recently proposed relocating Gaza’s residents to neighboring countries. His statement was welcomed by some Israeli officials but condemned internationally. Hamas strongly rejected the idea, calling it a “recipe for chaos.”
The prisoner exchange highlights the deep divisions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While families celebrate reunions, the frail condition of hostages and prisoners has fueled further outrage. With ongoing ceasefire negotiations, the future remains uncertain. The world watches closely as Israel and Hamas navigate their next steps in this long-running conflict.
Hamas Frees Three Israeli Hostages, Frail Appearance Alarms
Gaza: Hamas frees Three Israeli hostages, Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy. Their condition has sparked widespread concern in Israel, with many comparing their appearance to victims of past conflicts. The release is part of an ongoing ceasefire agreement, but uncertainty remains over its future.
The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah before being transferred to Israeli authorities. The men, who appeared weak and malnourished, were taken for medical assessments upon arrival in Israel.
Public Outrage Over Hostages’ Condition
The frail state of the released hostages has triggered outrage in Israel. The government described their condition as “shocking,” while hostage advocacy groups labeled it “disturbing.”
Israeli negotiator Gershon Baskin stated, “Seeing them in this state reminds us of concentration camp survivors. We must accelerate the release of all hostages.”
Tragic Stories Behind the Captives
Kidnappers abducted Ben Ami, 56, and Sharabi, 52, from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. An earlier truce freed Ben Ami’s wife, while the attack killed Sharabi’s wife and daughters. His brother, Yossi Sharabi, died in captivity.
Levy, 34, was taken from the Nova music festival. His wife was killed in the attack, and he will now reunite with his three-year-old son.
Ceasefire and Prisoner Exchange
Hamas has now released 16 Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire deal. In exchange for the three released on Saturday, Israel is expected to free 183 Palestinian prisoners, including 18 serving life sentences.
Israelis remain divided over the ceasefire, with Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatening to resign if it continues. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. “take over” Gaza has fueled further tensions.
Future of the Ceasefire Remains Uncertain
The truce is set to expire on March 1, and its extension remains in question. With 73 Israeli hostages still in captivity, pressure is mounting on both sides to negotiate further releases. The situation remains fluid, with global attention focused on the next steps in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
This Story Has been Updated
