Three Israeli hostages were handed over to the Red Cross in the latest round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas. The hostages, Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi, and Or Levy, were released in the central city of Deir al-Balah after 491 days in captivity in Gaza.
Ben Ami and Sharabi were taken from their homes in Kibbutz Be’eri, while Levy was attending a music festival when he was kidnapped. Tragically, Sharabi's wife and daughters were killed in the October 7 attack, and Levy's wife was also a victim.
So far, Hamas has released a total of 16 Israeli hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement, with more releases expected in the coming phases. However, Hamas still holds 73 people taken from Israel in 2023, with three additional hostages from 2014 still in Gaza.
On the Palestinian side, 18 prisoners set to be released are serving life sentences, while 54 have lesser sentences, and 111 were detained post-October 7. The charges against the 111 detainees were not specified.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant casualties and destruction. More than 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 attack, and Israeli bombardment has claimed over 40,000 lives and caused widespread devastation in Gaza.
As the ceasefire agreement approaches its expiration date on March 1, uncertainty looms over its extension. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concerns about the withdrawal of troops from Gaza and the return of remaining hostages. The future of the agreement remains uncertain amid ongoing negotiations.
US President Donald Trump's recent proposal to 'take over' Gaza and relocate its residents to neighboring countries has added another layer of complexity to the situation. While some Israeli ministers welcomed the idea, Hamas strongly condemned it, emphasizing the need to end occupation and aggression against the Palestinian people.
