Deri Al-Balah, Gaza Strip: Hamas-led militants on Saturday released three Israeli civilians who had been held for 16 months, while Israel released scores of Palestinian held captive as part of a tenuous agreement that has paused the Israel bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
Before an audience of hundreds, Hamas escorted Eli Sharabi, 52, Ohad Ben Ami, 56, and Or Levy, 34, to a stage where they made a public statement before being handed over to the Red Cross.
The three were among approximately 250 people taken during Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. They appeared to be in significantly worse physical condition than any of the 18 other captives freed so far during the ceasefire, which began on January 19.
The prisoners' malnourished condition, as well as the stage-managed event, which differed from past hostage releases in which the captives were not forced to speak, aroused uproar in Israel, AP reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said “We will not accept the shocking scenes” that played out. The statement did not specify any disciplinary measures.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the "difficult scenes" were a reason to extend the cease-fire with Hamas and return the dozens of remaining hostages. In an apparent response to worries over the released hostages' health, Hamas' military arm, the Qassam Brigades, stated that it had "made efforts to preserve their lives despite the (Israeli) bombardment."
Many Palestinians released from Israeli jails during the ceasefire have appeared emaciated and pale, and some have claimed abuse and mistreatment in Israeli captivity.
The current phase of the truce, which extends until early March, does not appear to have been impacted by US President Donald Trump's shocking proposal to move the Palestinian population out of Gaza, which was welcomed by Israel but vehemently opposed by the Palestinians and the majority of the international community.
However, it may hinder negotiations for the second, more difficult phase, in which Hamas is expected to release dozens more captives in exchange for a long-term ceasefire.
If Hamas feels the US and Israel are serious about depopulating the land, which rights groups say would violate international law, it may be hesitant to free further hostages, thereby losing its main bargaining chip.
This was the fifth hostage for prisoner exchange under the ceasefire. Before Saturday, 18 hostages and around 550 Palestinians had been released.
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents the relatives of the majority of the detainees, stated that the three hostages' haggard look "evoke the horrifying images from the liberation of the camps in 1945, the darkest chapter of our history.”
"We have to get all of the hostages out of hell. There can be no more delays.” The initial phase of the truce calls for the release of 33 hostages and roughly 2,000 Palestinians, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated area. Last week, wounded Palestinians were permitted to leave Gaza for Egypt for the first time since May.