Synopsis
On February 8, 2023, Israel confirmed the planned release of three Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners. This transaction is part of a ceasefire-hostage agreement, marking a significant development in ongoing tensions in the region.Key Takeaways
- Three Israeli hostages to be released by Hamas.
- In return, 183 Palestinian prisoners will be freed by Israel.
- Hostages were taken during a Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.
- This is the fifth such exchange under the ceasefire agreement.
- Negotiations for a second phase of the deal are ongoing.
Jerusalem/Gaza, Feb 8 (NationPress) Israel has been informed by Hamas, via mediating nations, about the release of three Israeli hostages from Gaza scheduled for Saturday as part of a ceasefire-hostage agreement, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
In return, Hamas announced on Friday that Israel will release 183 Palestinian prisoners.
The three Israeli hostages, taken during a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, are Ohad Ben Ami, 56, a dual Israeli-German citizen; Eli Sharabi, 52; and Or Levy, 34.
Sharabi was captured from Kibbutz Beeri, a community severely impacted during the Hamas assault. His wife, Lianne, and their teenage daughters were killed by Hamas militants.
Ben Ami, a father of three, was abducted from the same kibbutz where he served as the accountant. His wife, who was also taken hostage, was released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023.
Levy, a computer programmer from Rishon Lezion, was seized by militants from a bomb shelter close to the Nova music festival in southern Israel. His wife was killed in the attack, and their toddler son is currently under the care of family members.
Hamas has previously released 18 hostages, including five Thai nationals captured during the attack. Last week, Israel also released 183 Palestinian prisoners as part of the agreement.
The details of the impending exchange surfaced as US President Donald Trump continues to promote his controversial proposal to relocate all Palestinians from Gaza and turn the region into an international travel destination.
Reports from Israeli media indicate that Ben Ami's wife was also abducted on October 7 but was released after 54 days as part of an earlier hostage deal.
This proposal, which Trump termed a “real estate transaction”, has been widely rejected by Arab governments in the region and Palestinians, who argue that such actions would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Despite this, Trump asserted on Friday that his idea had received a positive reception. After initially advocating for a “permanent” resettlement of Palestinians, his latest remarks left the question of duration ambiguous.
“We don’t want to see everybody move back and then move out in 10 years” due to ongoing unrest, he remarked.
Israeli forces have largely withdrawn from Gaza, as per the ceasefire deal, yet remain stationed in border regions. The military has cautioned Palestinians to avoid areas with active troops and has fired upon individuals accused of breaching the agreement.
Negotiators are still working to finalize terms for the second phase of the deal, where Hamas would release additional hostages in exchange for more prisoners and a sustained ceasefire.
The Prisoners' Media Office, affiliated with Hamas, confirmed on Friday that Israel will indeed release 183 Palestinian prisoners.
A press release specified that the list comprises 18 prisoners serving life sentences, 54 prisoners with lengthy sentences, and 111 prisoners from the Gaza Strip arrested after the October 7 attack.
This marks the fifth hostage-prisoner exchange under the initial stage of the ceasefire agreement.
The earlier four exchanges resulted in the release of 18 hostages from Gaza and approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli facilities.
Effective January 19, the initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire agreement requires Hamas to release 33 hostages, while Israel is to release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
