Hamas releases three gaunt Israeli hostages for 183 Palestinian prisoners

Hamas-led militants released three gaunt, frail-looking Israeli hostages, and Israel freed nearly 200 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, in the latest exchange of a ceasefire agreement that has paused 16 months of war in Gaza.

The hostages’ condition and scenes of Hamas forcing them to speak in a handover ceremony sparked outrage in Israel and could increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire beyond its current six-week phase.

Mr Netanyahu has signalled that he would resume the war, even if that meant leaving dozens of hostages in Hamas captivity.

In front of a crowd of hundreds, armed militants led Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34, on to a stage to make statements before handing them over to the Red Cross.

The three civilian men were among about 250 people taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the war.

The joy of some Israelis watching their release turned to shock and tears when they saw their emaciated state.

The men appeared in poorer condition than the 18 hostages previously set free.

Later on Saturday, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners, some also appearing gaunt and weak.

It was the fifth exchange since the ceasefire began on January 19.

The Red Cross said it was “increasingly concerned about the conditions surrounding release operations” and urged all parties to ensure releases are dignified and private.

An Israeli health ministry representative, Dr Hagar Mizrahi, noted “severe malnutrition” and a “significant decrease” in body weight in the hostages released.

“We will not remain silent about this. A message has been passed on to the mediators, and action will be taken accordingly,” said Gal Hirsch, Mr Netanyahu’s coordinator for hostages.

Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, said it had made efforts to preserve the hostages’ lives “despite the (Israeli) bombardment”.

But it could complicate talks over the second and more difficult phase, when Hamas is to release dozens more hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire.

Hamas may be reluctant to free more captives, its main bargaining chip, if it believes the US and Israel are serious about depopulating the territory, which rights groups say would violate international law.

The ceasefire’s first phase calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory.

Israel says Hamas has confirmed eight of the 33 hostages are dead.

Twenty-one hostages, including five Thais not counted in the 33, and more than 730 Palestinian prisoners have been freed.

Mr Sharabi and Mr Ben Ami were captured from Kibbutz Beeri, one of the farming communities hardest hit by the Hamas attack, while Mr Levy was abducted from the Nova music festival.

Mr Sharabi’s wife and two teenage daughters were killed. His brother Yossi was abducted and died in captivity. Mr Levy’s wife was killed. Mr Ben Ami’s wife, Raz, was released during a weeklong ceasefire in November 2023 in which more than 100 hostages were freed.

“It’s over, it’s over,” Mr Levy’s brother Michael said as they embraced at a military base.

“I left XXL, I came back medium,” Mr Ben Ami said as he hugged his daughters. One of them, Ella, told Israeli channel 12 that “it took me a moment to realise that this was my father”.

The Palestinian prisoners released include 18 serving life sentences for deadly attacks on Israelis, 54 serving long-term sentences and 111 Palestinians from Gaza detained after the October 7 attack but not tried for any crime. All are men, aged 20 to 61.