In the fifth hostage-prisoner exchange since the start of the first phase of the ceasefire deal on January 19, three Israeli hostages were released Saturday in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners. The swap marks another critical moment in the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas, amid efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives.
Hostages Released
The three hostages, Ohad Ben Ami (56), Eli Sharabi (52), and Or Levy (34), were taken captive during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis. The brutal assault triggered the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 47,000 Palestinians have since been reported killed, according to the local Hamas-run ministry of health.
The men were handed over to Red Cross officials after being driven to a staged transfer location. Witnesses noted that all three men looked thin and frail after enduring more than 400 days in captivity.
“These are men who have endured hell itself,” said the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in a statement from Tel Aviv. “There can be no more delays—a second stage of the hostage deal must be implemented immediately!”
Israeli and Palestinian Reactions
Following the release of the hostages, Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement:
“Due to the serious condition of the three hostages and the repeated violations by the Hamas terrorist organization, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed that the situation cannot go unaddressed, and appropriate measures must be taken.”
The statement did not clarify what actions Israel planned to take.
Shortly after the hostages were handed over in Gaza, a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners released by Israel arrived in the West Bank. As part of the ceasefire agreement, Palestinian prisoners are being released in exchange for hostages.
Stories of the Released Hostages
Eli Sharabi
- Kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023
- His wife and two daughters were killed during the attack
- His brother-in-law, Stephen Brisley, expressed concerns about the trauma Eli would face upon learning of his family’s fate.
“I just hope he already knows, because it’s just going to be another layer of torture for him,” Brisley said.
Ohad Ben Ami
- Also kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri
- His wife, Raz, was kidnapped but released in November 2023 as part of a separate exchange deal
Or Levy
- Attended the Nova music festival with his wife, Einav, on the day of the attack
- The couple sought shelter in a bunker when militants attacked
- Einav was killed, and Or was taken hostage
Current Progress of the Ceasefire Deal
So far, 18 hostages have been freed in exchange for over 550 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. Negotiations for a second phase are currently underway, but uncertainties remain, especially after former President Trump suggested transferring Palestinians in Gaza to other countries, a statement that sparked international concerns about the deal’s stability.
With dozens of hostages still held in Gaza, Israeli officials and international negotiators are working to secure further releases. However, the fragile ceasefire remains under threat, and both sides face mounting pressure to reach a resolution without reigniting violence.
