Three Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza were freed on Saturday and are now in the custody of Israeli forces, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed.
“Three returning hostages have just been transferred to IDF and ISA (Israel Security Agency) forces in the Gaza Strip,” the military said in a statement.
The release was part of the fifth exchange under the ongoing ceasefire, with Israel expected to free 183 Palestinian prisoners later in the day.
Emotional Scenes as Hostages Are Released
The freed hostages—identified as Eli Sharabi, Or Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami—were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a public ceremony in Deir el-Balah. Live footage showed them flanked by masked Hamas fighters on a stage before being transferred to Red Cross officials.
In Israel’s commercial hub of Tel Aviv, jubilant crowds gathered to watch the release unfold on big screens, cheering as the hostages were safely transferred. The stage in Gaza was adorned with banners depicting destroyed Israeli military vehicles and an image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Dozens of armed Hamas militants surrounded the area where the handover took place, apparently to manage the crowd.
Geopolitical Tensions Escalate
The latest exchange follows controversial remarks from U.S. President Donald Trump, who proposed clearing the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian population and having the U.S. take control of the territory. The suggestion has drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders and was firmly rejected by Hamas.
As the ceasefire remains fragile, both sides are under pressure to continue negotiations. While hostages and prisoners are being exchanged, the long-term future of Gaza remains uncertain, with tensions high in the region.
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