Hamas has announced the names of the next hostages to be released in Gaza on Saturday as part of the exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The three male civilians are Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34.
Since the ceasefire started on 19 January, a total of 18 hostages have been freed, with Israel releasing 383 prisoners in return. Hamas plans to release another 183 on Saturday. By the end of the first stage of the ceasefire in three weeks, a total of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to be released. Israel claims that eight of the 33 hostages are deceased.
Hamas abducted 251 hostages and caused about 1,200 casualties when it initiated the conflict by attacking Israel on 7 October 2023. Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reports at least 47,500 Palestinian fatalities as a result of Israel's offensive, while the UN states that roughly two-thirds of Gaza's structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Eli Sharabi, taken from Kibbutz Beeri, lost his brother Yossi in the incident, along with his British-born wife, Lianne, and two daughters, Noiya and Yahel. Ohad Ben Ami, also from Kibbutz Beeri, was seized along with his wife, Raz, who was later released. Or Levy, a computer programmer from Rishon LeZion, was captured while fleeing with his wife Eynav at the Nova festival, where she was tragically found dead.
The families of the abductees scheduled for release on Saturday have been notified, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters expressed their anticipation for the release of the three hostages, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the return of all abducted individuals under the current agreement.
Hamas has accused Israel of not fulfilling its commitment to increase the humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal, citing a dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by Israeli actions. Hamas's media office head in Gaza, Salama Marouf, criticized the delays in aid delivery and urged Netanyahu to bring all abductees back.
In a plea for his family’s return, Mr. Bibas, who had been held captive, addressed Netanyahu directly, expressing the desire for the safe return of his family and friends, including his wife and sons, who were reported to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike by Hamas in November 2023. Israel has not verified this information.