Tragic Twist: Hamas to Release 3 More Hostages Amid Ongoing War

Tragic Twist: Hamas to Release 3 More Hostages Amid Ongoing War

Hamas has named the next hostages set for release in the Gaza Strip as part of an ongoing prisoner exchange with Israel. The three hostages—Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34—are expected to be freed on Saturday. In return, Israel will release more Palestinian prisoners.

Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has released 18 hostages. Israel, in exchange, has freed 383 prisoners. Hamas has now pledged to release another 183 hostages on Saturday. By the end of the ceasefire’s first phase, a total of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to regain their freedom. However, Israeli authorities confirm that eight of the 33 hostages have died in captivity.

The war erupted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, taking 251 hostages and killing around 1,200 people. In retaliation, Israel’s military offensive has resulted in at least 47,500 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Hamas-controlled health ministry. The UN reports that about two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli strikes.

One of the named hostages, Eli Sharabi, was abducted from Kibbutz Beeri alongside his brother, Yossi, who was later confirmed dead. Eli’s British-born wife, Lianne, and their two daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered during the attack. His brother-in-law, Stephen Brisley, expressed hope about Eli’s release, calling it “the greatest memorial to Lianne and the girls.”

Another hostage, Ohad Ben Ami, was also taken from Kibbutz Beeri. His wife, Raz, was later freed. Described by friends as a man with “good judgment and a sense of humor,” Ben Ami is a respected accountant.

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The third hostage, Or Levy, a computer programmer from Rishon LeZion, was kidnapped after fleeing the Nova Festival with his wife, Eynav. While Or was taken hostage, Eynav’s body was later discovered in a bomb shelter where the couple had sought refuge.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed that the authorities have received the names of those set for release, and their families have been informed. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum welcomed the news but emphasized that their mission is not over.

“We will not stop until all hostages return home—whether alive for rehabilitation or deceased for proper burial,” the forum stated in a press release.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high. Hours before Hamas announced the names, the group accused Israel of failing to meet its ceasefire obligations by limiting humanitarian aid to Gaza. Salama Marouf, head of Hamas’s media office in Gaza, claimed, “The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic due to Israeli obstruction.”

According to Marouf, only 8,500 out of the expected 12,000 aid trucks have entered Gaza since the ceasefire began. He also alleged that medical and shelter supplies had been deliberately delayed. However, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher contradicted these claims, stating that 10,000 aid trucks have crossed into Gaza since the ceasefire, calling it “a massive surge.”

In a related development, recently freed Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas, 34, has made a desperate plea to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of his wife and children, who remain in captivity.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu, I’m addressing you personally—bring my family back, bring my friends back, bring everyone home,” Bibas urged.

In November 2023, Hamas claimed Bibas’s wife, Shiri, and their two young sons had died in an Israeli airstrike. However, the group provided no evidence, and Israel has not confirmed the claim.

Adding to the international debate, former U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested that the U.S. should “take over” Gaza, relocate its Palestinian population, and transform the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” The proposal sparked outrage from Arab leaders and the UN. Despite the backlash, Trump doubled down on his statement in a social media post on Thursday.

As the conflict continues, families on both sides await the release of their loved ones, hoping for a resolution that brings lasting peace.