Gaza City, Gaza Strip – In a significant development, Hamas has recently announced the names of three male civilians who are set to be released as hostages in Gaza this weekend. This move comes as part of a broader exchange program between Hamas and Israel, where Palestinian prisoners are being swapped for hostages. The three individuals identified for release are Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34. This announcement marks the release of eighteen hostages since the ceasefire went into effect on January 19th, with Israel reciprocating by freeing 383 prisoners in return. Hamas has revealed plans to release another 183 individuals on Saturday, with a total of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners set to be freed by the end of the initial stage of the ceasefire in three weeks’ time.
The conflict that led to these hostage situations began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the seizure of 251 hostages and the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals. In response, Israel’s offensive has claimed the lives of at least 47,500 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN reports that around two-thirds of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed due to Israeli attacks, highlighting the extensive impact of the conflict on civilian populations.
Eli Sharabi, one of the hostages set to be released, was taken from Kibbutz Beeri along with his brother, Yossi, who was tragically confirmed dead. Eli’s wife, Lianne, and their two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were also killed in the attack. Ohad Ben Ami, another hostage, was abducted from the same location, while his wife, Raz, was later released by Hamas. Meanwhile, Or Levy, a computer programmer from Rishon LeZion, lost his wife, Eynav, during the Nova festival attack where he was taken hostage. The intense personal tragedies faced by these individuals serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Following the announcement of the hostages’ imminent release, the families of the abducted individuals expressed relief and hope for their safe return. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters emphasized their unwavering commitment to securing the release of all hostages under the current agreement, stressing the importance of ensuring the safe return of every individual, whether living or deceased, for rehabilitation and proper burial.
In a separate development, Hamas accused Israel of failing to uphold its commitment to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the ceasefire deal. Despite conflicting reports regarding the amount of aid reaching Gaza, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region remains a pressing concern. The allegations made by Hamas point to the challenges faced in ensuring the well-being of civilians affected by the conflict. The release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid are crucial steps towards fostering peace and stability in the region amidst ongoing tensions between the two parties.