Israel welcomes home three hostages after Hamas ordeal
Three Israeli hostages, who have been freed after spending 491 days in the hands of Hamas terrorists, are emaciated and highly weakened. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, emphasises that the treatment of these individuals by the Palestinians constitutes a crime against humanity.
The three Israeli hostages, Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levi, were released after 491 days of captivity by Hamas. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, noted that their health condition is dire – they are emaciated, weakened, and suffering.
The hostages were released as part of the fifth round of prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas. On Saturday, they were handed over to the Red Cross during a ceremony in the city of Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip. During this event, they were compelled to deliver propaganda speeches and pose with armed militants.
President Herzog commented that the hostages were "used in a cynical and cruel spectacle, organised by vile murderers." However, he emphasised that the consolation lies in the fact that they return alive and will soon reunite with their families.
Call for the release of remaining Hamas hostages
The forum of families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas compared the release of Eli, Ohad, and Or to images of the liberation of concentration camps in 1945. The organisation called for the release of all the hostages held in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, when Hamas attacked the border areas with Israel.
Einaw Zangauker, the mother of Matan Zangauker, one of the still-detained hostages, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite a prisoner exchange deal. Zangauker emphasised that the hostages are "going through a Holocaust" and cannot wait any longer.
Temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip
The exchange of hostages is part of a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, effective from 19 January to early March. So far, Hamas has kidnapped 251 people, 73 of whom are still detained, and 34 people from this group are already deceased. By the end of the ceasefire, the release of an additional 17 Israeli hostages is planned.
The extension of the ceasefire is uncertain, and Prime Minister Netanyahu is under pressure from far-right groups that demand the continuation of the war and the removal of Hamas from power in the Gaza Strip. Einaw Zangauker called on Israelis to demonstrate for the extension of the truce and the release of all hostages.
