Released hostages Or Levy, Eli Sharabi, and Ohad Ben Ami crossed the border into Israeli territory on Saturday and arrived at the initial reception point after they were transferred to Israeli forces by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
An initial medical examination reported to Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Sheba Medical Center revealed that the former hostages were in serious condition. They appeared starved and may have lost some 30% of their overall weight.
Previously, the Red Cross had received the hostages from Hamas in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.
Earlier, ICRC vehicles arrived in the central Gazan city to collect the three from the Hamas terrorist organization, and Red Cross personnel signed documents given by Hamas for their release.
Appearing frail and being supported by Hamas terrorists, the three hostages were forced to speak onstage before being handed over to the ICRC.
The IDF initially estimated that they would be returned at around 10:00 a.m. in central Gaza. Ultimately, they were not brought out until a little over an hour later.
“Two hundred Qassam members (members of Hamas’s military wing) are participating in securing the handover of the Israeli detainees,” a Hamas source told the Saudi news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat prior to the release of the Israeli captives.
The three hostages were released after spending 491 days in captivity. After the release of these three, 76 hostages, both dead and alive, remain in the Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement announcing its pleasure over the return of the hostages, adding that it was committed to returning the hostages who still remain in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
“The Israeli government embraces the return of the hostages. Their families have been updated that they are with our forces,” the PMO stated. “The shocking images that we have seen today will not go unaddressed,” referring to the serious conditions the hostages are in when they were released, notably having lost a lot of weight while in captivity.
The PMO also stated that “In light of the dire condition of the three hostages and the repeated violations by the Hamas terrorist organization, Prime Minister Netanyahu has instructed not to overlook this and to take appropriate action.”
Hostages will reunite with families at Re’im base
Israeli forces are set to accompany the former hostages to the Re’im base in Israel, where they will reunite with their families.
They will then be transferred to Tel Aviv’s Sourasky Medical Center and the Sheba Medical Center.
In exchange for the three hostages, Israel is set to turn over 183 Palestinian security prisoners. Many of the Palestinians to be released have been convicted of terrorism offenses and have been involved in the murder of Israelis.
Levy, Sharabi, and Ben Ami were kidnapped on October 7, 2023, during the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.
In live streams from the Jordanian Alghad TV and Al Jazeera, a stage similar to the one used by Hamas during previous hostage releases was seen. Numerous armed Hamas terrorists were also at the scene.
Later, Gazan civilians, including women and children, could be seen flooding in to observe the event.
“The disturbing images from the release of Ohad, Eli, and Or serve as yet another stark and painful evidence that leaves no room for doubt – there is no time to waste for the hostages!” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated shortly after the three hostages were released. “We must get them all out, down to the very last hostage. Now!”
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