Israel has received three hostages after Hamas paraded them on Saturday before hundreds in the Gaza Strip ahead of their release. Dozens of Palestinian prisoners will be freed in return.
The exchange is part of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel.
The hostages were paraded in public prior to their release.Credit: AP
According to Hamas and Israel, the hostages are Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34. All were abducted during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, in which about 1200 people were killed and that sparked the war.
Dozens of masked and armed Hamas fighters, some driving white pick-up trucks with guns mounted on them, lined up on Saturday morning at the location of the exchange near the territory’s main north-south highway in Central Gaza.
A small crowd of onlookers gathered at the scene, with a line of Hamas fighters keeping them at a distance from a temporary stage.
The hostages were led up onto the stage and a masked Hamas fighter held a microphone as each was made to give a statement before the crowd. Hostages have not spoken during previous releases.
Or Levy, Eli Sharabi and Ohad Ben Ami, all of whom were abducted and brought to Gaza on October 7, 2023
It will be the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire began on January 19. Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinian prisoners have already been freed in that time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the “shocking” images of the hostages’ poor condition.
