Hamas Releases Three Israeli Hostages as Ceasefire Holds

A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas saw renewed progress Saturday as three Israeli hostages were released in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners. This marks the fifth round of swaps under the agreement's first phase, which has already freed 18 hostages from Gaza and around 600 Palestinian detainees since its implementation in January.

The released hostages—Ohad Ben Ami (56), Eli Sharabi (52), and Or Levy (34)—were among over 250 individuals abducted during Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023. Ben Ami’s wife, also kidnapped in the raid, was freed in a prior exchange.

Mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S., the deal’s initial 42-day phase aims for Hamas to release 33 hostages, with Israel returning hundreds of prisoners. However, U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and transform the enclave into a “Riviera of the Middle East” has sparked backlash, with Arab states and Palestinian groups denouncing the plan as “ethnic cleansing.”

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed Trump’s stance, talks for the ceasefire’s second phase—centered on releasing remaining hostages and withdrawing Israeli troops—began this week. The conflict, which began with Hamas’ October 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis, has claimed over 47,000 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza health authorities.

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Hamas set to release three Israeli hostages as Gaza ceasefire holds

cgtn.com