Hamas announced on Friday the names of three Israeli hostages it plans to release this weekend in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, as part of a cease-fire deal with Israel that has been in effect for nearly three weeks.
Abu Obeida, spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, identified the hostages as Eli Sharabi, 52; Or Levy, 34; and Ohad Ben-Ami, 56. All three men were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The release of the names came later than expected, raising concerns about potential setbacks in the agreement. By Friday evening, Israeli government officials confirmed they had received the list and notified the families of the hostages.
Since the cease-fire began, it has faced several challenges, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Israel accused Hamas of failing to provide the names as per the agreed timeline, while Hamas claimed Israel breached the cease-fire by not facilitating adequate aid deliveries. Israeli officials stated their commitment to the agreement without commenting on Hamas’s specific allegations.
The first phase of the cease-fire is scheduled to last 42 days, during which Hamas has committed to releasing at least 33 hostages in exchange for over 1,500 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. To date, three previous exchanges have resulted in approximately 18 hostages being freed for over 550 Palestinian prisoners.
Palestinian officials were anticipated to release the names of dozens of Palestinian prisoners set for release by Israel on Friday night. As per the deal, some of the prisoners are reportedly serving life sentences for serious offenses.
This truce has temporarily halted more than a year of intense warfare, initiated by the October attack that resulted in around 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 250 individuals, primarily civilians. Currently, over 70 captives are believed to remain in Gaza, with at least 35 thought to be deceased, according to the Israeli government.
In retaliation, Israel launched military operations against Hamas in Gaza, leading to over 45,000 deaths, as reported by local health officials, who do not differentiate between civilians and combatants. The Palestinian population in Gaza has been enduring extreme hardship, with many displaced from their homes.
Both Israel and Hamas have expressed willingness to negotiate a more permanent resolution to the conflict and the release of remaining hostages. However, the feasibility of reaching such an agreement remains uncertain, as it would require painful concessions from both sides.
This week, a proposal from President Trump—whose administration facilitated the cease-fire negotiations—suggested relocating Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinian residents and placing the enclave under U.S. control. Analysts have differing opinions on whether this could facilitate or hinder ongoing negotiations.
Among the hostages slated for release, Eli Sharabi lived in Be’eri, an Israeli community near the Gaza border that suffered significantly during the initial attack. His family experienced tragic losses, including the deaths of his wife and two daughters, while his brother was also taken hostage and later killed in an Israeli airstrike, as confirmed by the Israeli military.
Another hostage, Ohad Ben-Ami, was captured alongside his wife, who was released in a previous cease-fire. Or Levy was taken after leaving his young son with relatives to attend a nearby music festival, which was attacked, resulting in over 300 deaths, including that of his wife. Levy was subsequently abducted to Gaza during the assault.