Hamas Announces Release of Three Israeli Hostages Amid Ceasefire Tensions
On Friday afternoon, Hamas revealed the names of three Israeli individuals who have been held captive since the October 7 attacks. The men, Eli Sharabi, Ohad ben Ami, and Or Levy, are set to be released on Saturday. Initially, Hamas had refused to disclose their names by the deadline established in recent ceasefire agreements, accusing Israel of breaching the terms.
Hamas contended that Israel had stalled the entry of hundreds of aid trucks and heavy equipment necessary for reconstruction and debris removal, allowing only a minimal amount of supplies for hosting those displaced by the ongoing conflict. In turn, Israel accused Hamas of breaching the ceasefire by failing to communicate the names of the three hostages by the agreed-upon time of 4 PM local time (3 PM in Italy).
Since the ceasefire began, Hamas has released 18 individuals, but it is estimated that they still hold over 70 hostages. The Israeli army reported that 34 of those hostages have lost their lives during captivity. On the other hand, Israel has released 383 Palestinian prisoners in the ongoing exchange as part of the ceasefire negotiations and agreements.
The situation remains tense as both sides navigate the complexities of the ceasefire terms, with humanitarian aid and the status of hostages at the forefront of international concern.
Related Sources: