Hamas released three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The handover was marked by Hamas fighters prompting their frail captives to deliver brief speeches, seemingly under duress, expressing gratitude to their captors after 16 months of captivity.
This event has further strained an already fragile cease-fire, potentially jeopardizing future negotiations related to the truce. Israel is set to withdraw from parts of Gaza on Sunday to facilitate greater movement for Palestinians, but has warned of unspecified actions in response to alleged violations of the cease-fire by Hamas.
Discussions regarding the second phase of the truce are reportedly ongoing, amid significant concern in the Arab world regarding a proposal to relocate over two million Gazans and have the United States assume control of the territory.
The orchestrated hostage release served to reinforce Hamas's narrative of resilience despite the heavy toll of the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of its members and leaders. Hamas stated, “This confirms that our people and their resistance have the upper hand.”
While Hamas claims to have treated the hostages well, many Israelis viewed the release as a stark reminder of their suffering. The three released hostages, who appeared visibly weakened, were displayed in a public event in Deir al-Balah, each holding a Hamas-issued “release certificate” and reciting scripted statements.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar compared the appearance of the hostages to Holocaust survivors, highlighting the emotional impact of the release on the Israeli public. The event is likely to intensify calls for the government to secure the release of all remaining hostages, while others may advocate for a resumption of military action against Hamas.
Following the release, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed Israeli authorities to take appropriate measures regarding cease-fire violations, although specific actions were not disclosed. On Sunday, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw further east in Gaza to enhance Palestinian mobility.
The three Israelis freed—Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami—were among approximately 250 individuals abducted during the Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. Currently, around 75 hostages remain unreturned, with many believed to be deceased.
The cease-fire agreement stipulates the release of 25 living hostages and the remains of eight deceased individuals over six weeks, in exchange for more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners. To date, 16 living hostages and about 550 Palestinian prisoners have been released.
Negotiations for the second phase of the truce, aimed at concluding the conflict and securing the release of remaining hostages, are ongoing but face uncertainty. Israel has stated it will not end the war while Hamas remains in control of Gaza, a demand that Hamas has rejected.
The released Israelis were taken to hospitals in central Israel for medical care and family reunions. Eli Sharabi's return is particularly poignant, as his wife and daughters were killed during the initial attack. It remains unclear if he was informed of their deaths prior to his public appearance.
Dr. Yael Frenkel Nir, overseeing the treatment of two hostages, reported their poor health, with one in a severe nutritional state. The released Palestinians were transported to various locations, including Ramallah and Khan Younis, with some expected to be expelled abroad.
In Ramallah, a large crowd welcomed the freed prisoners, who are viewed by many Palestinians as heroes in their struggle against occupation. Some released prisoners appeared frail, with reports of mistreatment in Israeli jails during the conflict.
Israeli forces conducted raids on the homes of several individuals prior to their release, warning families against celebrating. One of the raided homes belonged to Jamal Tawil, a senior Hamas leader, who was taken directly to a hospital post-release.
Another released prisoner, Shadi Barghouti, had been serving a lengthy sentence for serious charges. His family faced threats of arrest if they celebrated his return publicly. The Israeli military has not commented on allegations of abuse during the raids.
In Be’eri, where two of the released hostages were abducted, local residents expressed mixed emotions, transitioning from joy to sorrow upon seeing the hostages' condition. The Hostage Families Forum condemned the distressing images from the handover and called for the immediate release of all remaining captives.
“Everyone must be brought home, down to the last hostage,” the forum stated.