Hamas has freed three Israeli hostages in Gaza, while Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners in the latest exchange as part of an internationally brokered ceasefire deal.
The three hostages – Eli Sharabi, Ohad Ben Ami, and Or Levy – were handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday morning before reuniting with their families in Israel.
As Mr Sharabi, Mr Ben Ami, and Mr Levy were handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, crowds lined up, cordoned off by a row of armed fighters, to watch and film on mobile phones, as Hamas and Palestinian flags flew.
A Hamas official and Red Cross representative signed paperwork on a stage to complete the handover. The hostages were then paraded on stage, flanked by men with guns. The three men posed holding certificates and answered questions into a microphone, before waving as they were ushered into Red Cross vehicles.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed horror at the physical state of the men who he said were “returning after 491 days of hell, starved, emaciated and pained”.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also criticized the men’s state, saying “We have seen again what the monsters of Hamas are”.
He also accused Hamas of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire deal, without providing specifics.
Netanyahu’s co-ordinator of prisoners and missing persons said Israel treated the issues with “great severity” and would raise them with ceasefire mediators and take action.
Returning Palestinian prisoners were greeted with scenes of celebration at Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Representatives claimed they all needed “medical care”, without giving specifics.
So far, 21 hostages and 566 prisoners have been freed since the ceasefire began on 19 January.
By the end of the first stage of the ceasefire in three weeks, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to have been freed. Israel says eight of the 33 are dead.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said the latest release of Israeli hostages had been carried out in a “civilized manner”.
He also accused Israel of “dragging its feet” on implementing humanitarian relief agreed as part of the ceasefire.
